Australians come together to commemorate those who have served our nation and its allies in wars, conflicts, and peace and humanitarian operations. Commemorating and recognising military service is a shared responsibility that is not limited to official anniversaries.
Key commemorative dates
Australia's calendar of remembrance includes several national days of observance either enshrined in legislation or proclaimed in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette by the Governor-General. The Australian Government recognises these days, as well as several other dates popular in the veteran community.
19 February Bombing of Darwin Day (gazetted)
25 April Anzac Day (legislated)
8 May Victory in Europe (VE) Day
27 July Korean Veterans' Day
15 August Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day
18 August Vietnam Veterans' Day
31 August Malaya and Borneo Veterans' Day
3 September Merchant Navy Day (gazetted)
1st Wednesday of September Battle for Australia Day (gazetted)
14 September National Peacekeepers' Day
11 November Remembrance Day (gazetted)
National commemorative program
The Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) leads several official activities to commemorate some significant moments in Australia's history. Some activities are held on gazetted or legislated dates, such as Anzac Day. Others are held on significant anniversaries, such as the 50th or 100th. These activities provide recognition, respect and acknowledgement to all Australian veterans, which supports the DVA's objectives relating to veteran health and wellbeing.
DVA hosts or supports services to commemorate the service and sacrifices of Australia's veterans and the support of their families:
Watch recordings of DVA's national commemorative services in Australia.
AFGHAN25 national service
On 11 October 2026, DVA will hold a national commemorative service to acknowledge the 25th anniversary of Australian service in Afghanistan 2001–2021. The service will be held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and broadcast nationally on the ABC. Register your interest in attending.
Commemorative dates for 2026
We welcome public activities to recognise and remember veterans' service in local communities. Beyond gazetted and popular commemoration days, Australians can come together at many other times to honour veterans. You could take part in many activities to make a community or personal commemoration.
The following timeline provides a snapshot of where Australians were serving in military operations since Federation.
Download the Commemorative Dates Flyer for 2026 [PDF 2.1MB]
2021 … 5 years ago
Australians served in the Kabul airlift in August 2021. This marked the end of Australia's 20-year involvement in the War in Afghanistan.
2011 … 15 years ago
In August 2011, Australia ended its contribution to Coalition operations in the Iraq War. This ended with the withdrawal of the Security Detachment Iraq.
2006 … 20 years ago
Australians were serving in operations worldwide, including:
- Operation Astute in Timor-Leste
- Operation Ramp in Lebanon
- Operation Quickstep in Fiji
- Operation Resolute in areas around Australia for border protection.
2001 … 25 years ago
Australians were serving worldwide on peace operations, including in:
- Bougainville with an Australian-led group
- East Timor (Timor-Leste) with the United Nations (UN)
- the Middle East with the UN
- Sierra Leone with the United Kingdom.
Operation Slipper was also established on 11 October 2001. This marked the start of Australia's involvement in the War in Afghanistan.
1996 … 35 years ago
The UN ended peace operations in Rwanda, in which some 612 Australians served.
Also, on 12 June 1996 near Townsville, 2 Black Hawk helicopters crashed, claiming the lives of 18 ADF members.
1991 … 35 years ago
Australian troops began active service in the combat phase of the First Gulf War. After enforcing economic sanctions on Iraq in 1990, they contributed to the liberation of Kuwait and helped protect the Kurdish and Shia populations during the aftermath in Iraq.
The last Australians serving in the UN peace mission in Cambodia were withdrawn.
1976 … 50 years ago
On 5 July 1976, Australian peacekeepers arrived in Egypt to serve in the UN mission in Sinai.
1971 … 55 years ago
On 19 September, Operation Ivanhoe began during the Vietnam War. The operation included the withdrawal from Vietnam.
1966 … 60 years ago
On 8 March 1966, the 1st Australian Task Force was established during the Vietnam War. Then, on 18 August 1966, Australians took part in the Battle of Long Tan.
Also in August 1966, peace was declared in the Indonesian Confrontation, ending Australia's involvement.
1956 … 70 years ago
Australian ground combat operations commenced in the Malayan Emergency.
Australia withdrew its last personnel from South Korea. They took part in post-armistice operations following the Korean War.
1951 … 75 years ago
Australians served in the Korean War, including the Battle of Kapyong (23–24 April) and the Battle of Maryang San (3–8 October).
The compulsory National Service Training Scheme was also established in April 1951, with the first intake of trainees in July 1951.
1946 … 80 years ago
In February 1946, Australians began arriving in Japan to serve with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF).
1941 … 85 years ago
Australians were serving in World War II operations in:
- Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East
- Malaya
- the United Kingdom and Western Europe
- British waters, including the Battle of the Atlantic.
In November 1941, HMAS Sydney was lost with all hands in the Indian Ocean. It was one of many attacks on Australian shipping during World War II.
1916 … 110 years ago
Australians began serving in their first battles in Europe and the Middle East:
- on the Western Front, including the Battle of Fromelles and the Battle of Pozières
- in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign, including the Battle of Romani.
Also, 110 years ago, the Royal Australian Navy contributed to the maritime blockade of Germany after the Battle of Jutland.
Commemorative dates for 2027
Download the Commemorative Dates Flyer for 2027 [PDF 1.1MB]
2022 … 5 years ago
ADF personnel visited 14 countries as part of the Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022 (IPE22) to enhance regional partnerships.
2012 … 15 years ago
Australia ended its contribution to the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in East Timor (now Timor-Leste), beginning the withdrawal of the remaining 400 ADF troops.
2002 … 25 years ago
Australian peacekeepers served in operations worldwide, including:
- Afghanistan
- Bougainville
- East Timor/Timor-Leste
- Ethiopia and Eritrea
- Mozambique
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands.
1997 … 30 years ago
An Australian observer joined the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA).
The ADF also established operations Cranberry and Dirk, the first 2 of Australia's multiple declared border protection operations.
1992 … 35 years ago
Australia deployed peacekeepers to ongoing and new operations worldwide, including:
- Cambodia
- Somalia
- the Middle East
- the Former Yugoslavia
- Western Sahara.
The Vietnam Forces National Memorial was also unveiled in Canberra.
1987 … 40 years ago
On 3 October 1987, about 22,000 Vietnam veterans marched in Sydney as part of the Australian Vietnam Forces Welcome Home Parade.
1982 … 45 years ago
Australian peacekeepers deployed to the Middle East to monitor the Israeli withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula as part of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO).
Australian peacekeepers also deployed to Uganda with the Commonwealth Military Training Team Uganda (CMTTU).
1977 … 50 years ago
The Women's Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF) was disbanded, which was the first step in fully integrating women into the ADF.
1972 … 55 years ago
With the winding down of Australia's commitment to the long-running war in Vietnam, Australia:
1962 … 65 years ago
In South-East Asia, Australia deployed:
- No 79 Squadron RAAF to Ubon, Thailand, to support Vietnam War operations
- Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) to Vietnam.
In December, the Indonesian Confrontation began.
Australia also dispatched peacekeepers to United Nations missions in:
1952 … 75 years ago
The British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) was disbanded when the Treaty of San Francisco ended the postwar occupation of Japan.
Australians continued serving in Japan and Korea as part of the Korean War.
1947 … 80 years ago
Four Royal Australian Navy personnel were killed after HMAS Warrnambool sank during a mine clearance operation.
Australia also sent peacekeepers to oversee a ceasefire in Indonesia and the departure of Dutch colonial forces as part of the United Nations Good Offices Commission (UNGOC). This was Australia's first modern peace operation.
1942 … 85 years ago
During World War II, Australians served worldwide, in Australia, the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa. Key battles included:
- Fall of Singapore
- Kokoda Track Campaign
- Battle of Milne Bay
- Battles of El Alamein.
Australia also came under attack for the first time, including:
- Japanese aircraft attacks on northern Australia, including Darwin, Broome, Wyndham and Townsville
- Japanese submarine attacks on Sydney Harbour and Newcastle
- German and Japanese attacks on ships in Australian waters.
1927 … 100 years ago
The foundation stone of Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance was laid on 11 November to honour those who fought in World War I. The Shrine of Remembrance now honours Australians who have served in all wars, conflicts and peace operations.
1917 … 110 years ago
During World War I, Australians served in Western Front battles, including:
- First and Second Battle of Bullecourt
- Battle of Messines
- Third Battle of Ypres (Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcappelle and Passchendaele).
In the Middle East, Australians also took part in the capture of Gaza, Beersheba and Jerusalem during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign.
1902 … 125 years ago
The Second South African (Boer) War ended on 31 May 1902. Each Australian colony contributed personnel, and it became the first war in which the Commonwealth of Australia deployed forces overseas following Federation in 1901.
Other significant anniversaries
Ex-service organisations, veterans' groups, military formations and unit associations recognise many other anniversaries. They matter to veterans and current-serving ADF personnel, and they help us remember historical events in Australia's past.
If you'd like to check the dates of significant battles and military events in Australian history, we recommend consulting:
- Australia's official war histories
- Coulthard-Clark, Chris. 2010. The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles. Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest.
Get in touch
To ask about our work in commemorations, contact us.