75th anniversary of National Service 1951-72

National Commemorative Service

To mark the 75th anniversary of National Service (1951-1972), the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) will be holding a National Commemorative Service at the Great Hall, Australian Parliament House, Canberra (visit Google Maps) on National Servicemen’s Day, 14 February 2026.

The service will also be broadcast nationally by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and streamed online to provide members of the community the opportunity to acknowledge the anniversary from their home.

More information about the National Commemorative Service will be published to this page as it becomes available. Please check back shortly.

Key Timings

The National Commemorative Service will run as follows:

• 10:30am – Pre-service program commences
• 11:00am – Official service commences
• 12:00pm – Official service concludes

Background

National service refers to two conscription schemes for the armed forces that operated during the Cold War. Both schemes saw young men conscripted into Australia’s armed forces for full-time and part-time service. Those who served in the national service schemes were affectionately known as ‘Nashos’.

• The National Service Training Scheme (NSTS) ran from 1951 to 1959. It required nearly all 18-year-old males to be registered for national service and undergo between 3 and 6 months of full-time training in one of the armed services followed by a part-time service commitment in either the Royal Australian Naval Reserve, Citizen Military Force, or Citizen Air Force.
• The National Service Scheme (NSS) ran from 1965 to 1972. This scheme required males turning 20 and resident in Australia to register for potential national service and then men were selected for national service by a ballot system. Those selected were required to complete 2 years of full-time service with the Australian Regular Army or six years of part-time service in the CMF. Nashos in this scheme could serve in Australia or overseas, including in Vietnam, Malaysia (including in the Indonesian Confrontation), Singapore, and Papua New Guinea.

Over 280,000 young men were called up for national service between 1951 and 1972 with the last Nashos discharged in 1974. More than 200 died on active service overseas and others died while serving in Australia. Although many young men were proud to serve their country in uniform, national service came at a personal cost for all Nashos, irrespective of the nature and location of their service.

Registering your attendance

Attendees should register to attend via the online registration system

You may also register by scanning the QR code:

Alternatively, you may provide your name and contact details for registration to DVA via email to Commemorative.Events@dva.gov.au.

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.

Attendees with an accessibility requirement will be able to provide details through the registration form. 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 Parliament House Security and find a seat. 

A pre-service program will commence at 10:30am and we advise attendees to arrive early and be seated by 10:15am.

Further Information about public transport arrangements will be made available shortly.

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.

Resources

DVA develops a range of commemorative and educational materials to further help recognise and remember Australia’s National Servicemen (NASHOS).

To learn more about Australians in the National Service schemes from 1951 to 1972, 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