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Australia's military, also known as the Australian Defence Force (ADF), is comprised of the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Navy, and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Australian Army was formed in 1901 and has since fought in several major wars, including World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Iraq War. The ADF is ranked 18 out of 145 countries in the annual Global Firepower review, denoting Australia as a Top 20 global military power. The ADF currently has 58,100 members, accounting for 0.4% of the total Australian population.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Military size in 2019 | 59,000 |
| Military size in 2018 | 58,100 |
| Military size in 2017 | 58,000 |
| Military size in 2021 | 581,100 |
| Military power ranking in 2025 | 18 out of 145 |
| PwrIndx score | 0.3298 |
| % of total Australian population currently serving in the ADF | 0.4% |
| % of Townsville's population currently serving in the ADF | 3.5% |
| % of North Canberra's population currently serving in the ADF | 3.1% |
| % of Rockingham's population currently serving in the ADF | 2.6% |
| % of Gungahlin's population currently serving in the ADF | 2.4% |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's military size in 2019
The Australian Army, formed in 1901, is the principal land warfare force of Australia. It has participated in numerous major wars, including the Second Boer War, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation, the Vietnam War, the War in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War. The Army also engages in multilateral and unilateral military exercises, providing emergency disaster relief and humanitarian aid domestically and internationally.
The Royal Australian Navy is Australia's naval branch of the ADF. It contributes to the country's military strength and participates in various operations, including peacekeeping missions and border protection.
The Royal Australian Air Force is another critical component of Australia's military. It provides aerial support to the ADF and is involved in transport, surveillance, and combat operations. The Air Force has played a significant role in Australia's military history, including during World War II and more recent conflicts.
In 2019, Australia's military maintained its position as a top global military power. The country's defence forces are well-trained, equipped, and organised, contributing to their overall strength and readiness to respond to domestic and international crises.
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Australia's military rank
Australia's military, also known as the Australian Defence Force (ADF), consists of three branches: the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Australian Army, and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The ADF is ranked highly in terms of global military power.
In 2025, Australia was ranked 18th out of 145 countries considered in the Global Firepower (GFP) review, which assesses countries based on various factors, including manpower, airpower, land power, naval power, and financial health. This ranking places Australia within the top 20 global military powers.
The Australian Defence Force's rank structures and insignia are similar to those of its British counterparts. The Australian Army, the principal land warfare force, has a unique rank structure with three warrant officer ranks, including the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army (RSM-A), introduced in 1991.
The Australian military has a long history of involvement in major wars and peacekeeping operations. It has participated in conflicts such as the Second Boer War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and more recently in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Australian Army also engages in multilateral and unilateral military exercises, providing emergency disaster relief and humanitarian aid domestically and internationally.
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Australian Army history
The Australian Army has a long history dating back to the colonisation of the country. For more than 80 years after the establishment of the first British colony in 1788, the only professional soldiers in Australia were members of British regiments. The New South Wales Marine Corps, which came ashore with the First Fleet, was the first modern infantry on the Australian continent.
During the colonisation of Australia, parts of the colonial forces participated in the Australian frontier wars, which were a period of conflicts and massacres against the Indigenous population. One of the most brutal episodes was the Black War, initiated in 1828 when the Governor of Van Diemen's Land declared martial law. This conflict lasted until 1832. By 1870, 25 British infantry regiments had served in Australia, along with artillery and engineer units. That same year, the British garrisons were withdrawn, and the six separate self-governing colonies in Australia had already established their own part-time reserve units, known as militia or "volunteers".
The Australian Army was officially formed in March 1901 as the Commonwealth Military Forces, through the amalgamation of the colonial forces following the Federation of Australia. The newly formed Army was immediately involved in conflicts, as contingents had already been committed to fight for the United Kingdom in the Second Boer War. During the First World War, the Australian Army raised the all-volunteer First Australian Imperial Force (AIF), which had an initial recruitment of 52,561 men. The AIF departed for Egypt, where the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) was formed.
In the postwar period following World War II, the Australian Army continued to be involved in various international conflicts, including the Korean War, Malayan Emergency, Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation, Vietnam War, and more recently, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Army has also participated in peacekeeping operations, such as the International Force for East Timor and the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (Operation Paladin). Today, the Australian Army is the principal land warfare force of the country and is part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force.
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Australian Army's role in peacekeeping
The Australian Army is the principal land warfare force of Australia, with approximately 59,000 personnel as of 2019. It is part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), alongside the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Australian Army has been involved in numerous conflicts, including major wars such as the Second Boer War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the War in Afghanistan.
Since its involvement in the Second Boer War in 1899, the Australian Army has participated in peacekeeping operations worldwide. Australians have served in peacekeeping roles every year since 1947, when they were among the first group of UN military observers in Indonesia. Over the years, Australian peacekeepers have played a crucial role in various conflicts, promoting peace and providing humanitarian assistance.
One of Australia's most significant peacekeeping missions was in East Timor in 1999. During East Timor's emergence as an independent nation, Australia led a force of around 6,000 personnel, known as the International Force East Timor (INTERFET). This operation aimed to restore peace, protect UN personnel, and facilitate humanitarian assistance. Australia's contribution to this mission demonstrated its commitment to regional stability and support for East Timor's independence.
In addition to its role in East Timor, the Australian Army has been involved in other peacekeeping missions under the United Nations and ad hoc coalitions. For example, between 1994 and 2003, Australia sent military observers to Bougainville as part of a peace monitoring mission. From 2003 to 2013, Australia also contributed to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), with a total of 7,270 personnel rotating through the region. Furthermore, Australian peacekeepers have served in the Middle East, Cyprus, and Cambodia, often providing technical support, medical assistance, and impartial observation to defuse tensions and enforce peace treaties.
The Australian Army's role in peacekeeping operations has been diverse and ongoing. Australians have been involved in more conflicts as peacekeepers than as belligerents, showcasing their dedication to promoting peace and stability worldwide. While some commentators argue that Australia could be more proactive in its peacekeeping efforts, the country has nevertheless contributed significantly to international peace and security through its military involvement.
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Australian Defence Force (ADF) members
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is comprised of the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Navy, and the Royal Australian Air Force. The ADF is commanded by the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF), who is responsible to the Minister for Defence, with the Department of Defence administering the ADF and its three branches.
The Australian Army is the principal land warfare force of Australia and has fought in numerous major wars, including the Second Boer War, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation, the Vietnam War, the War in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War. It has also been involved in peacekeeping operations, such as in East Timor, Sinai, and as part of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization.
The Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force, alongside the Australian Army, make up the ADF's manpower, which includes Active, Reserve, and any official Paramilitary forces. According to the 2021 Census, there were around 581,100 people who had served in the ADF, with 2.8% of the Australian population aged 15 and over having served. Of those, 10.4% were currently serving in Regular service, 4.2% in Reserve service, and 85.4% had previously served but were not currently serving.
The ADF's members are distributed across Australia, with certain regional areas having higher concentrations due to the presence of military bases. Townsville, QLD, for example, is home to Australia's largest Army base, Lavarack Barracks, and had the highest number of currently serving ADF members in the Regular service, accounting for 8.2% of all Regular service members. Other areas with significant ADF populations include North Canberra, ACT, Rockingham, WA, and Gungahlin, ACT.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the 2021 Census, there were 581,100 people who had served in the ADF, 2.8% of the Australian population aged 15 years and over. Of those, 60,300 people (10.4%) were currently serving in Regular service, 24,600 people (4.2%) were in the Reserves service, and 496,300 people (85.4%) had previously served in either the Reserve or Regular service.
The ADF currently accounts for less than 1% (0.4%) of the total Australian population.
Australia is ranked 18 out of 145 countries considered for the annual Global Firepower review.
In 2019, the Australian military size was 59,000, a 1.55% increase from 2018.
