Teaching resources on the experiences of Australian women in wartime

 

Women play an important part in Australia's military history. With active service roles in wars, conflicts and peace operations from World War I to the present, as well as changing roles on the home front, Australian women have been integral to Australia's defence force capabilities. Our teaching resources explore the diverse experiences of women, bringing their stories 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.

Roles of Australian Women in World War I - our website section

Australian Women in War book

Gallipoli and the Anzacs teaching resource

Home Front book and related Home Front Educational Activities workbook

Forever yours: Stories of wartime love and friendship book

We'll Meet Again workbook

Century of Service book series

Snapshots: Australians in war and conflict book

About our resources

Our roles of women free educational resources 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 roles of women include:

  • nurses in World War I
  • women on the home front in World War I
  • women in the armed services at home and overseas in World War II
  • women in the auxiliary services (WAAAF, RAAFNS, WRANS, RANNS, AWAS, AANS, AAMWS) in World War II
  • women on the home front (eg AWLA) during World War II
  • women in service post-1945
  • nurses in the Vietnam War
  • women in peace operations post-1945
  • women in service today
  • women in leadership
  • female artists and writers
  • diverse roles of women, including journalists and volunteer performers.

To bring history to life, we have included oral histories that capture veterans' and civilian 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 the experiences of Australian women in wartime, DVA Anzac Portal, accessed 1 October 2025, https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/classroom/teaching/women
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