Records of service in the RAAF after World War II, including service in Korea, Malaya and Vietnam, are held by the Department of Defence.

The main source of information for RAAF personnel serving after World War II is the personnel file, listed in the table below.

If the service person served in the World War II period and then continued to serve after this period, the records of war service are combined in the postwar file.

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 RAAF service that took place within the last 30 years, you should contact the Department of Defence:

Personnel Records (RAAF)
Queanbeyan Annex 2
Department of Defence
Canberra ACT 2600

Tel: (02) 6266 5965

Postwar RAAF service records are still held by the Department of Defence in Canberra. To access these records please complete the form below. The National Archives will then request the file from Defence. The personnel file, if located, will be transferred to the National Archives’ Canberra 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 a photocopy or an online copy. You may also choose to the view the record in the Canberra reading room of the National Archives.

The cost for an online copy is:

• AU$38.50 (including GST) for purchases within Australia
• AU$35 (GST-free) for purchases made outside Australia

The cost for a photocopy is:

• AU$48 (including GST) for purchases within Australia
• AU$50 (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/

Pension information and entitlements

Veterans' Affairs Network
Tel: 1300 551 918

For more information on RAAF records see:

• Fact sheet 32 – RAAF service records
• Fact sheet 177 – Defence service records for WWI and WWII

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