Anzac Portal: Australia's military history and veterans' stories

Young men in uniform holding rifles under supervision

National service in Australia

Australia had 4 military service schemes between 1911 and 1972. The schemes were all part of national service.

World War I 1914 to 1918

Soldiers standing near a gun with some loading and operating the gun.

World War II 1939 to 1945

Korean War 1950 to 1953

Photograph of 3RAR on the deck of a US troopship

Vietnam War 1962 to 1975

A male soldier standing in front of a tank.

Rows of men congregate in a courtyard area with buildings around.

Australian POWs in Ambon and Hainan

On 3 February 1942, during World War II, Gull Force surrendered on Ambon island. Around 1,000 Australians became prisoners of war interred at either Ambon or Hainan.

Find out more

National event 14 February

To mark the 75th anniversary of national service (1951 to 1972), DVA is holding a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra. Seats are limited.

Veteran stories

Listen to oral histories

We gather stories of ordinary Australians who've had extraordinary experiences serving in wars, conflicts and peace operations.

Judy Speedy's story

Judy grew up in a naval family with a strong ethos of service. She joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1962 and served for 6 years.

Daryl Bristowe's story

Daryl was conscripted into compulsory national service. As a national serviceman, he served for 3 months in Vietnam in 1971.

Peter Jensen's story

Peter joined the RAAF in 1941 as a radio operator. He recalled his time in No 461 Squadron in the UK, including sinking a U-boat.

Biography

See all biographies

Men dressed in military uniforms and caps walking through dusty village streets with ruined buildings and a long truck.

George Ingram VC, MM

George was the final Australian awarded a VC in WWI. His VC was earned during the Battle of Montbrehain on 5 October 1918.

Short film

See more films

All The Way: Our Vietnam War

The war in the words of those who served. Episode 2 looks at daily life and the battles of Long Tan and Coral-Balmoral.

Resources

See all resources

We've produced over 100 free resources on Australia's military and service history. Many are designed for teachers and students.

Australian Women and the Second World War: Great Debates

Kokoda: In Their Own Words

Devotion: Stories of Australia's wartime nurses

A landscape painting with soldiers moving up a mountain range with dead bodies scattered throughout the slope.

Gallipoli classroom lesson