Fact sheet 160 – Universal military training in Australia, 1911–29

Between 1911 and 1929 Australian males aged between 18 and 60 were required to perform militia service within Australia and its territories. The Defence Acts of 1903 and 1904, empowered the Australian Government to call up 'unexempted’ males in time of war. The Defence Act 1909 made training and service compulsory in time of peace.

The visit of Field Marshal Kitchener

A bill providing for compulsory military training in peace time (referred to as universal training) was introduced to Parliament by Prime Minister Alfred Deakin in 1909. It was a measure with broad parliamentary support, having been adopted by the Opposition Labor Party at its 1908 conference. At the invitation of Deakin, Field Marshal Viscount Kitchener of Great Britain visited Australia in 1909 to inspect the existing state of defence preparedness of the young Commonwealth, and advise on the best means of providing Australia with a land defence. Kitchener’s report, submitted in February 1910, recommended the introduction of compulsory military training. A public version of Kitchener’s report was published as 'Defence of Australia: Memorandum’ in Commonwealth Parliamentary Papers – General (Session 1910, Volume II, pp. 83–104).

Records about Kitchener’s visit and report
Canberra
ItemLord Kitchener1909A2, 1910/1731 
ItemLord Kitchener1909A2, 1912/945 
ItemReport on the defence of Australia by Field Marshal Viscount Kitchener1910A463, 1957/1059 
Melbourne
ItemLord Kitchener’s visit1907–10MP84/1, 1901/13/16 
ItemLord Kitchener, visit to Australia1909MP84/1, 1901/13/2 
ItemPrinting of souvenir books on Lord Kitchener’s visit1909MP84/1, 1901/13/95 
ItemTelegrams from Lord Kitchener1909MP341/1, 1909/8599 
ItemLord Kitchener’s report1910MP84/1, 1901/6/3 

The universal military training scheme

The first scheme of universal training came into operation on 1 January 1911. The Minister for Defence presented a comprehensive report on the progress of the scheme for the period 1911 to June 1912. Annual statistics for the number of registrations, medical examinations and exemptions under the universal training scheme are included in the Official Year Book of the Commonwealth of Australia for the years 1910 to 1929. Copies of these Year Books are available in all National Archives’ reading rooms.

The scheme had a chequered rate of success. The junior cadets were abolished in June 1922, and universal military training and the holding of military camps was suspended from 1 November 1929, pending a general review of defence policy.

Selected records about the administration of universal training
Canberra
SeriesRecord of service for trainees in Naval Reserve for the quota years of 1894–19071894–1907CT190/18 
SeriesRecord of service for trainees in Naval Reserve for the quota years of 1894–19071894–1907CT190/19 
SeriesRecord of service for trainees in Naval Reserve for the quota years of 1894–19071894–1907CT190/20 
SeriesRecord of service for trainees in Naval Reserve for the quota years of 1894–19071894–1907CT190/21 
SeriesRecord of service for trainees in Naval Reserve for the quota years of 1894–19071894–1907CT190/22 
SeriesRecord of service for trainees in Naval Reserve for the quota years of 1894–19071894–1907CT190/29 
Melbourne
SeriesDepartment of Defence [I], correspondence files (contains information about training camps, opposition to and evasion of universal training, statistics etc)1906–13MP84/1 
SeriesDepartment of Defence [I] & [II], general correspondence files (contains information on statistics and forms)1917–29MP367/1 
SeriesDepartment of Defence [I], Navy Office [I] & [II], general correspondence files (contains information about statistics)1910–21MP472/1 
SeriesCorrespondence files (contains information about regulations, exemptions etc)1913–17A2023 
Hobart
SeriesRegistration forms and service histories for cadet trainees in Launceston units for the quota years of 1919–19291919–29P2471 

Information in the 'Shedden Collection'

Following his retirement as Secretary to the Department of Defence in 1956, Sir Frederick Shedden, who had held the position for 19 years, was asked to prepare a history of Australian defence policy. His manuscript, titled The History of Australian Defence Policy was not published, but is held by the Archives as part of the Shedden collection. Several chapters of the draft relate to universal training.
Collection references
Item(Duplicate copy) Chapter 25: 'A National Citizen Force – Lord Kitchener’s Report (1910)'1910A5954, 1282/2 
Item(Manuscript) Chapter 23: 'Universal Training – The Passing of the Defence Act 1909'1909A5954, 1266/3 
Item(Duplicate copy) Chapter 32: 'A Summary of Notable Progress – 1910–13'1910–13A5954, 1282/9 
Item(Duplicate copy) Chapter 55: 'The Report of the Swinburne Committee on Universal Training, an Air Service and an Arsenal – 1919'1919A5954, 1284/2 

For more information

You can obtain more information about the record series listed above (and the items within the series) from RecordSearch, the Archives database. Searches using the keyword terms 'kitchener’, 'compulsory military training’ or 'universal training’ will identify further material. Follow the links in the series lists to go directly to information on that series. You can also use RecordSearch to find out about the agencies that created the records and to locate more records on your subject. You might also explore PhotoSearch to find out if there are photos pertaining to your subject.

RecordSearch and PhotoSearch are available online or in all Archives reading rooms. Reference staff are available in the reading rooms to help you, or email ref@naa.gov.au .

Other fact sheets relating to compulsory military training and national service are:

  • Fact Sheet 161 – Conscription referendums, 1916 and 1917
  • Fact Sheet 162 – National Service and war, 1939–45
  • Fact Sheet 163 – National Service, 1951–59
  • Fact Sheet 164 – National Service, 1965–72