25th anniversary of Australian service in Afghanistan 2001-2021

National commemorative service

To mark the 25th anniversary of Australian service in Afghanistan 2001-2021, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) will be holding a national commemorative service in Canberra on 11 October 2026 at the Australian War Memorial (AWM), marking the 25th anniversary of the official start of Operation Slipper.

The service will be live broadcast nationally by the ABC.

Key Timings

• 9:00am – Entry to site opens
• 10:00am – Pre-service program commences
• 10:30am – Official service commences
• 11:30am - Official service concludes 

Background

From 2001, more than 35,000 Australians served in Afghanistan and the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) in relation to Afghanistan. In response to the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, Australian forces contributed to a multinational attempt to bring security to Afghanistan, stabilise the wider region, and defeat terrorist activity. For more than two decades, Australians contributed reconstruction efforts focused on creating safe conditions for democratic governance, mentoring and training, and humanitarian aid.

Australians served our country with courage, professionalism, commitment and integrity. We remember the Australians who lost their lives during, or as a result of, their service and acknowledge the physical and mental impacts that service has had on many of our veterans and their families.

Registering your attendance

Attendees should register to attend via the online registration system.

A ticket/attendance pass will not be required to enter. However, the registration process will ensure that adequate arrangements can be put in place for seating and transport.

Attendees with an accessibility requirement will be able to provide details through the registration system. This will allow DVA to plan appropriately and send you relevant details about the service.

Planning your journey

Attendees are encouraged to plan their journey and arrival times carefully. We encourage you to arrive early to ensure you have sufficient time to progress through the entry points and obtain the best possible seat.

A pre-service program will commence at 10:00am and we advise attendees to arrive early and be seated by 9:45am. 

Parking

The AWM has very limited parking and is allocated on a first come first serve basis. The museum is open to the public on the service day, and a large number of visitors are expected.

Road closures will be in place on the day on Limestone Avenue, Fairbairn Avenue surrounding the AWM and on Anzac Parade down to Currong Street South and Blamey Crescent.

Park and Ride

DVA has organised a free shuttle service departing from the Kings Avenue & Parkes Way carpark (Russell Offices) to the AWM. Attendees are highly encouraged to utilise this service to ensure they arrive on time for the service.

A shuttle bus service will also be offered to those with accessibility requirements, and DVA and other Government officials will be on site to assist and direct you to the shuttle service. First shuttle departs Russell offices at 8:50 am with final drop off at the Memorial at 10.20 am.

Shuttle buses will also operate following the conclusion of the commemorative service up until 4pm to allow transport attendees back to vehicles at the Kings Avenue & Parkes Way Carpark. 

Public Transport Arrangements

Taxi and rideshare services

Limestone Avenue, Fairbairn Avenue and Anzac Parade in front of the Memorial will be closed prior to and during the service. General attendees will need to be dropped off at Treloar Crescent adjacent to Campbell High School.

ACT public transport

Attendees may catch any regular bus routes to and from the commemorative service and walk from/to the bus stops located in close vicinity to the AWM.

Pedestrians and Cyclist

Attendees may walk, ride or scoot to the AWM. We ask that attendees please follow the direction of government officials and traffic control on the day. Those planning on walking to the Memorial via Anzac Parade should keep to the footpaths and remain off the road as the shuttle buses will be in operation.

Bicycles and scooter will not be permitted inside the service area. The security of your bicycle or scooter is your responsibility, so please ensure you bring your own lock.

Official and Invited Guest arrivals

Official and invited guests will receive an event brief with parking details prior to the event.

Seating and Accessible seating

General public seating will be available for attendees at the service and will be on allocated on a first come first served basis. Limited accessible seating will be available for attendees who have health or accessibility requirements. If accessible seating is required, please ensure that when registering your attendance you nominate and describe your accessibility requirements.

Attendees with an accessibility requirement should make themselves known to DVA or AWM staff on arrival.

Attendees who require mobility aids should bring these with them. The Memorial is unable to loan wheelchairs for public use.

What to Take

Please ensure you have everything you will require for your comfort at the service, including any medications, warm and wet weather clothing, appropriate footwear and any mobility aids.

Temporary Toilets, including some accessibility toilets and hand-washing facilities, will be installed specifically for the service. Please note this does not include infant changing facilities.

A limited number of ponchos will be made available on site for attendees in the event of wet weather.

Attendees should be advised that umbrellas can obstruct the view of other guests and affect television broadcast coverage. Where wet weather is expected, the use of ponchos or raincoats is preferred to minimise disruption and maintain sightlines for all attendees.

Official and public Wreath Laying

Wreath laying by invited official representatives will occur during the service.

Prior to the conclusion of the service, veteran associations, veterans and families and members of the public who wish to lay a wreath will be invited to do so.

Individuals are to supply their own wreath or floral tribute, and it is their responsibility to carry it with them and care for it at the Australian War Memorial until the public wreath laying.

Dress

Smart / Neat casual recommended. Serving ADF members are welcome to wear appropriate single service ceremonial dress as spectators or appropriate civilian attire. Medals and decorations are welcome and encouraged to be worn.

Media

The service will be broadcast live across Australia by the ABC. There will be media present at the service. Attendees should be aware that camera operators move around the site, and that cables may be laid along the ground. Please take care. 
Accredited media will be restricted to designated media zones.

Visitor Information and AWM Site Safety

We ask all attendees be aware of their surroundings as the grounds can be uneven. We advise caution when entering the Memorial grounds and when moving around the site.

Information points, toilets, and first-aid services will be located on site.

As the service is to be held outdoors, animals are welcome, however please be mindful of the sanctity of the ceremony and other members of the public in attendance.

Poppy’s Café will open from 9 am to 4 pm.

Post Service

At the conclusion of the service, attendees will be asked to remain seated while the Official party departs, and the post-service procedures are put in place. We ask that attendees remain patient and follow the direction of DVA and AWM staff.

Those who need to board a shuttle back to the carpark will need to follow the direction of staff on the day.

The AWM will be running a number of other activities throughout the day following the commemorative service. Information regarding these activities can be found on the Australian War Memorial Website.  

Resources

DVA develops a range of commemorative and educational materials to further help recognise and remember Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan. 

To learn more about Australians in Afghanistan, visit our Anzac Portal

Open Arms

Open Arms provides free mental health and wellbeing support to anyone who has served at least one day of continuous fulltime service in the ADF and their immediate families. Available at any time of the day or night, every day of the year.

To find out more call 1800 011 046.

Contact information

Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Phone: 1800 838 372 within Australia
Tel: +61 2 6289 1133 from outside Australia
Email: Commemorative.Events@dva.gov.au