75th anniversary of National Service 1951-72
| Service | Nationally broadcast commemorative service to mark the 75th anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday 14 February 2026 |
| Registration | The registration portal is not open. Please check back shortly for a link to register your attendance at this service. |
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 in Canberra on National Servicemen’s Day, 14 February 2026.
The service will also be broadcast nationally by the ABC.
More information about the National Commemorative Service will be published to this page as it becomes available. Please check back shortly.
Back to topBackground
National Service was an important episode in the lives of a significant number of Australians. The fact that national service was compulsory for most young men meant participants in the schemes were required to interrupt their lives through no choice of their own.
Some 287,000 young Australian men were called up in 2 separate schemes for compulsory training in the Navy, Army and Air Force between 1951 and 1972. Of them, 212 died on active service in Borneo and Vietnam. National service was part of Australia’s defence-readiness policy for over 20 years.
Back to topResources
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.
Back to topOpen 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.
Back to topContact 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