The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), on behalf of the Australian Government, leads national events and activities each year to commemorate some of the most significant moments in Australian history. Some dates remain constant, such as Anzac Day and Remembrance Day. Others are commemorated in significant years, such as 25th, 50th, 75th and 100th anniversaries.
Upcoming events
DVA hosts events to honour Australians who served in a particular conflict or place and the sacrifice of their families.
We're busy preparing future events, including the 25th anniversary of Australian service in Afghanistan in October 2026.
When events are open for registration, we promote them on the DVA website.
With so many anniversaries to commemorate every year, we encourage you to make your own community or personal commemoration.
Recordings of recent services
Watch broadcasts of our recent events. To find recordings of older events hosted by DVA, see the playlist on our YouTube channel.
75th anniversary of national service 1951–72
On 14 February 2026, DVA held a national commemorative service at Australian Parliament House in Canberra to mark the 75th anniversary of national service (1951–1972).
Watch the national service broadcast (58 minutes).
Watch the pre-service short film, including interviews with national servicemen (15 minutes).
75th anniversary of Australian service in the Malayan Emergency
On 31 August 2025, DVA held a national commemorative service at Rond Terrace in Canberra. This service marked the 75th Anniversary of Australian service in the Malayan Emergency (1948–1960). We remembered the more than 7,000 Australians who served in the Malayan Emergency between 1950 and 1960. We remembered also some 2,000 Australians who served in counter-insurgency operations on the Thai-Malay border from 1960 to 1966. The Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour names 39 Australians who died on active service in the Malayan Emergency. A further 2 Australians died in the Thai-Malay Border operations.
Watch the national service broadcast (1 hour and 5 minutes).
Watch the pre-service short film, including veteran interviews (16 minutes).
75th anniversary of Australian service in the Korean War
On 25 June 2025, DVA held a national commemorative service at the Australian National Korean War Memorial in Canberra. This service marked the 75th anniversary of Australian service in the Korean War (1950–1953). More than 18,000 Australians served during the Korean War and post-armistice ceasefire monitoring. Of those, 340 Australians lost their lives, more than 1,200 were wounded, and 30 were taken prisoner. Of those who died, 42 have no known grave. Another 16 Australians died serving in South Korea with the ceasefire monitoring force from 1953 to 1957. A further 11 died serving in Japan with the British Commonwealth Forces Korea (BCFK).
Watch the national service broadcast (1 hour and 9 minutes).
Watch the pre-service short film, including veteran interviews (16 minutes).
25th anniversary of Australian service in Timor-Leste
On 20 September 2024, DVA held a national commemorative service at the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial in Canberra. This service marked the 25th anniversary of Australian service in East Timor and Timor-Leste (1999–2013). Of those who served, 6 Australians lost their lives on deployment or because of their service there.
Watch the national service broadcast (1 hour and 4 minutes).
Watch the pre-service short film, including veteran interviews (16 minutes).
Watch the pre-service seminar, The pathway to peace and solidarity: Australian service in peace operations (5 hours and 50 minutes). Hosted by Kahlil Fegan DSC AM, with speakers including Lieutenant General Peter Leahy AC (Retd), Dr Tom Richardson, Mr Michael Maley PSM, Mr David Savage AM, Major General Paul Symon AO (Retd), Warrant Officer Class One Trudy Casey OAM, Colonel Luke Foster AM CSC CSM (Retd), The Hon John Howard OM AC, General the Hon Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd) and Brigadier Nigel Best OBE.
50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War
On 18 August 2023, DVA held a National Commemorative Service at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial on Anzac Parade in Canberra. We honoured the service of some 60,000 Australians who served in the Vietnam War (1962–1975) and the sacrifice of their families. Tragically, 524 Australians lost their lives as a result of the war and more than 3,000 were wounded.
Watch the national service broadcast (1 hour and 37 minutes).
Watch the pre-service short film, including veteran interviews (27 minutes).
75th anniversary of Australian peacekeeping
On 14 September 2022, DVA held a National Commemorative Service at the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial on Anzac Parade in Canberra. In 1947, Australians were part of the first group of United Nations military observers anywhere in the world. When they arrived in the Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia), they became the first peacekeepers to deploy into the field. Australian peacekeepers since 1947 have served in many locations, including the Middle East, Rwanda, Iraq, Afghanistan, Cyprus, East Timor, Bougainville and Solomon Islands. Tragically, 17 Australians have lost their lives during global peace operations.
Watch the national service broadcast (56 minutes).
Watch the pre-service short film, First on the ground, including veteran interviews (29 minutes).
Get in touch
If you want to learn more about DVA's national commemorative services, you can email commemorative.events@dva.gov.au or phone DVA on 1800 838 372.