All records of service in the Army after World War II, including service in Korea, Malaya and Vietnam, are maintained by the Soldier Career Management Agency (SCMA).

Army personnel files, or dossiers, are created at the time of discharge by amalgamating several smaller files and documents. The records generally contain documents detailing awards, badges, conduct, compensation, discharge, enlistment, injury, medals, posting and movement, promotion, trade and training.

In addition the dossier contains correspondence between the individual or the individual’s relatives and the Army after the service person left the defence force.

For former serving members and their next of kin

If you are a former serving member, or their next of kin, you can obtain a copy of the record of postwar Army service from the Department of Defence by contacting:

Soldier Career Management Agency
PO Box 393D
Melbourne VIC 3001

Tel: (03) 9282 5393 or (03) 9282 6235
Fax: (03) 9282 5434

From the National Archives

The National Archives can provide access to postwar Army service records.

It is important to be aware that under our legislation, the National Archives may only publicly release records which are over 30 years of age. This means that if you request a record of postwar service from us, you may not be able to view the whole file. In some cases an entire file may consist of documents less than 30 years of age, so it cannot be viewed or copied at all.

Postwar Army service records are held by the SCMA in Victoria. We request records from the SCMA to answer your inquiry.

The service record, if located, will be temporarily transferred to the National Archives’ Melbourne office. This process may take up to three months.

Once the record has been received by our Melbourne office, a quote for the provision of an online copy or a photocopy will be sent to you. You may also choose to the view the record in the Melbourne reading room of the National Archives at no cost.

To request a postwar Army service record, please complete the online form – defence service after World War II.

The cost of an online copy is:

• AU$16.50 (including GST) for purchases within Australia
• AU$15 (GST-free) for purchases made outside Australia

The cost of a colour print copy is:

• AU$25 (including GST) for purchases within Australia
• AU$28 (GST-free) for purchases made outside Australia

Medals

Information about medal entitlements is available from:

Defence Honours and Awards
T-1-49, Department of Defence
Canberra ACT 2600

Tel: 1800 111 321
Email: honoursandawards@defence.gov.au
Website: www.defence.gov.au/medals/ 

For more information on Army records see:

• Fact sheet 136 – Army service records
• Fact sheet 163 – Sources of information about military service
• Fact sheet 177 – Defence service records for WWI and WWII

You can also browse our other fact sheets on defence, armed services and war.