Teaching resources on Australians in the Vietnam War

 

Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War is an important part of our history. Almost 60,000 Australian men and women in the Navy, Army and Air Force served there between 1962 and 1975, including those men conscripted under the National Service Scheme. Our teaching resources explore the diverse experiences of Australians during the Vietnam War. Their stories will help you bring this historic event to life in the classroom.

Extension resources

The extension category includes useful resources containing detailed content that may require more advanced literacy skills. These resources could be used for independent research tasks and extension activities or be modified to meet your teaching needs.

Vietnam War 1962 to 1975 - our website section

Vietnam Veterans' Day 18 August - our webpage

Vietnam War - our website section

Conscription and the birthday ballot – our webpage

The Battle of Fire Support Bases Coral/Balmoral book

Veterans' Stories Vietnam book

Vietnam: our war - our peace book

Century of Service book series

Snapshots: Australians in war and conflict book

We'll Meet Again teaching resource

Search our collection of videos and oral testimonies about the Vietnam War.

See also National service in Australia from 1911 to 1972 - our website section

Veterans' oral history interviews

Our historians have interviewed more than 50 Vietnam veterans over the past 30 years. Search for Vietnam War videos and oral testimonies in our Veterans' Stories collection.

About our resources

Our free educational resources on the Vietnam War for Australian schools include:

  • classroom activities and lessons
  • interactive online activities
  • printable worksheets to consolidate learning
  • source analysis for primary and secondary sources
  • short films and videos
  • workbooks and books.

Education specialists and qualified historians design our resources so they:

  • are historically accurate
  • build knowledge, understanding and skills
  • engage your students.

Primary and secondary resources have classroom-ready content. Adapt them to cover topics broadly or in detail.

Topics on the Vietnam War include:

  • reasons for Australia's involvement
  • military conscription under national service
  • experiences of Australian service personnel
  • key events of the Australian experience
  • impacts and significance of Australia's involvement
  • experiences of veterans returning home
  • how Australia commemorates the Vietnam War.

To bring history to life, we have included oral histories that capture veterans' stories and experiences.

Get in touch

To ask about our teaching resources or request a copy of any of our free printed books, contact us.


Last updated:

Cite this page

DVA (Department of Veterans' Affairs) ( ), Teaching resources on Australians in the Vietnam War, DVA Anzac Portal, accessed 3 March 2026, https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/classroom/teaching/vietnam-war
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