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) in Victoria.

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.

The National Archives under its legislation may only release to the public, service records which are over 30 years of age. This means that if you request a record of postwar service you may not be able to see the whole file. In some cases the entire file may consist of documents that are less than 30 years of age and therefore not able to be viewed or copied.

Only the Department of Defence can give access to information in service documents that is less than 30 years of age. If you are a former serving member or their next of kin wishing to access information about you or your relative’s Army service that took place within the last 30 years, you should contact the Department of Defence:

Soldier Career Management Agency
GPO Box 393D
Melbourne VIC 3001

Tel: (03) 9282 6235

Postwar Army service records are held by the Soldier Career Management Agency (SCMA) in Victoria. To access these records please complete the form below. The National Archives will then request the file from SCMA on your behalf. The personnel file, if located, will be transferred to the National Archives’ Melbourne office temporarily. Due to the number of inquiries received, this process may take up to three months.

Once the file has been received we will send you a quote for the provision of an online copy or a photocopy. You may also choose to the view the record in the Melbourne reading room of the National Archives.

The cost for an online copy is:

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

The cost for a black and white photocopy is:

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

Complete the defence service after World War II form

Medals

Information about medal entitlements is available from:

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

Phone: 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.