The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide officially opened on Friday and public hearings got under way in Brisbane yesterday.

Senior counsel assisting Kevin Connor SC confirmed further public hearings would be taking place in locations where Australian Defence Force facilities are located, including Sydney, Canberra, Townsville and Wagga.

It is not yet clear what dates the public hearing will be held in Wagga. However, the news has been welcomed by the city's veterans.

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Jason Frost, the president of the Wagga Defence Shed, was delighted to hear the inquiry would be heading to the region.

"We've been trying to ask for it to come here for a while and it's good to hear that we've been put on the list," Mr Frost said.

"We've got the home of the soldier [Kapooka] and a lot of ex-services personnel, so it just makes sense."

Mr Frost was hopeful that if Wagga veterans got the chance to share their experiences with mental health they could secure better support services for the city.

"For the last five or six years there has been a number of us fighting for new services in this region and it's been an uphill battle the entire time," he said.

"Getting the commission here in Wagga provides an actual turning point for some new services to be brought into the region."

The Defence Shed president encouraged Wagga veterans to make submissions to the Royal Commission and said he would be happy to help them work through the process.

"The more people we get coming forward with their experiences and their stories, the more of a voice we get at that federal level to get the support we've been needing," Mr Frost said.

David Gardiner, the president of the Wagga RSL sub-branch, said the inquiry coming to Wagga was the correct decision.

"It's a good move on the commission's behalf because the city has defence bases on both sides, and both veterans and serving defence personnel," he said.

"It's essential everybody shares their experiences and that way the commission is getting the correct information from the right people who have had or are having experiences in regards to suicide. That way they get the information right from the horse's mouth."

Wagga mayor Greg Conkey said the city was a fitting host for the public hearing considering its close ties with the military.

"We are a defence force city and it's appropriate that the royal commission sits here," Cr Conkey said. "I'm sure there are defence force personnel here who can make a contribution to that inquiry."

The Royal Commission has already received about 650 submissions on issues ranging from bullying and sexual assault to the difficulties of returning to normal life.

For mental health support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Murrumbidgee Access Line on 1800 800 944.

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