Defence and war service records

The National Archives' extraordinary collection of records about Australia's defence and war efforts will help you learn more about your family's war history, support your academic research, or commemorate ex-service members.

There are more than 1.5 million First World War and Second World War service records in our collection. Start searching today.

RecordSearch

Start your defence and war service research here

collage showing two servicemen in uniform and a female nurse

Researching war service

Learn more about how to research a person's war service, and what records we hold in our collection.
Soldiers of the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment make an assault landing, 1967.

Conflicts: Boer War to Vietnam

The National Archives holds records relating to every conflict Australia was involved in from 1899 to 1975.
"With the camera at Anzac" - Unloading mules, 1919.

Army First World War

Start your research into First World War Australian servicemen and women by exploring our collection of records.
World War II Camp Postal Facilities - On a visit to 9th Division during last push - El Alamein, 1939-45.

Army Second World War

Browse our collection of service records of Australians who served with the Army in the Second World War.
Royal Australian Navy personnel march aboard the newly commissioned HMAS Yarra, 1961.

Royal Australian Navy ship and crew records

We have records about members of the Royal Australian Navy who served as crew aboard ships.
Royal Australian Navy divers receiving instruction on the decompression chamber at Balmoral Naval Depot, 1949.

Royal Australian Navy service records

The National Archives holds a range of records about service in the Royal Australian Navy.
Royal Australian Air Force Officer is flying instructor at Point Cook RAAf base, 1979.

Royal Australian Airforce

The National Archives holds RAAF service records from when it was established in 1921.

Other defence records

We hold many other records related to wartime service and defence.

Search our collection to find records about:

  • civilian service
  • courts-martial
  • merchant navy
  • munitions workers
  • soldier settlement
  • veterans’ cases
  • war crimes
  • war gratuities
  • war graves
  • defence administration and policy

You may also want to visit the Australian War Memorial for records on:

  • units
  • operations
  • administration

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