Australia was unprepared for the outbreak of war when it came in early August 1914. The nation’s leaders were engaged in a federal election campaign. Ministers were scattered around the country when news arrived at the end of July of the immanence of war. Those who could, made their way to Melbourne (then the seat of government) for a hastily convened meeting. Five cabinet ministers resolved to offer to Britain an expeditionary force of 20,000 men. Only 2 days later, Australia was at war.
Read about Australia's most famous wartime Prime Minister, Billy Hughes