A proposal for the inquiry has been around for years but Prime Minister Scott Morrison has previously indicated a preference for a permanent independent commissioner to investigate the issue.

On Monday veterans' affairs minister Darren Chester told parliament Mr Morrison had "never ruled out a royal commission," and the government would now be carefully considering the proposal after allowing the non-binding motion through.

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Wagga Defence Shed president Jason Frost said a royal commission would be a positive step in reducing veteran suicide, but it was important any inquiry had their terms of reference right and were speaking to the right people.

"There needs to be words spoken with the families of the vets that are dealing with this day in and day out," he said.

Mr Frost said currently there were issues in the transition process out of the defence force, and veterans found it difficult to deal with the department of veterans affairs if they did not have access to the appropriate support systems.

He said he did not believe the government was "even close to aware" of the scale of the issue, with many veterans with severe mental health concerns going without the necessary medical services and advocacy.

The Defence Shed and the newly formed Pro Patria Centre, of which Mr Frost is currently a board member, have sought to "breach some of those shortfalls" in the system.

Mr Frost said the feedback they were getting in Wagga was that veterans were leaning on their friends and family rather than professional services for help, and it was important any inquiry looked to those people for answers because veterans were not always honest with psychiatrists for fear of the stigma of speaking openly about their mental health.

To reduce suicides in the veteran community, Mr Frost said it was important the Department of Veterans Affairs worked closer with community organisations, and a recent visit from the interim commissioner for defence and veteran suicide prevention to speak to a Wagga veteran was a positive sign.

"There is some work in place that's moving in the right direction, but there's still a lot more that needs to be done to actually get the tide turning," he said.

With clinical treatments seeing successful outcomes in other countries, Mr Frost said it was also important for Australia to "think outside the box" and try new programs and treatments that had worked elsewhere.

If you or anyone you know needs support, call Accessline Murrumbidgee on 1800 800 944, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467.

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