Teaching resources on Australians in World War II

 

World War II is an important part of Australia’s civic and military history. Australians served in many theatres of war, such as European, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern, and Asian-Pacific. Australia was directly threatened and attacked for the first time in its history. Our teaching resources explore the diverse experiences of Australians in wartime. Their stories will help you bring this topic to life in the classroom.

Secondary school resources

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.

World War II 1939 to 1945 - our website section

North Africa and Syria book and related North Africa and Syria Educational Activities workbook

Greece and Crete book and related Greece and Crete: Educational Activities workbook

A Bitter Fate: Australians in Malaya and Singapore book and related A Bitter Fate: Australians in Malaya and Singapore Educational Activities workbook

Century of Service book series

Snapshots: Australians in War and Conflict book

We'll Meet Again workbook

About our resources

Our World War II 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.

World War II topics include:

  • causes of World War II
  • reasons for Australia's involvement
  • places where Australians served: North Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Singapore and South-East Asia, Australia, Papua and New Guinea (including Kokoda)
  • Battle of Britain
  • Siege of Tobruk
  • Fall of Singapore
  • Battle for Australia
  • significance of the Kokoda Track campaign
  • experiences of Australians on the Kokoda Track
  • significance of battles at Milne Bay, Buna and Gona
  • experiences of Australians involved in key battles
  • experiences of prisoners of war
  • defeat of the Japanese
  • experiences of Australian nurses
  • women in the auxiliary services (WAAF, WRAAF, AWAS, AWLA, WASPS, WESC)
  • Indigenous Australian service
  • wartime artworks, artists and writers
  • commemorating Australia's involvement in World War II.

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

Get in touch

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


Last updated:

Cite this page

DVA (Department of Veterans' Affairs) ( ), Teaching resources on Australians in World War II, DVA Anzac Portal, accessed 3 July 2025, https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/classroom/teaching/ww2
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