2026 is the 75th anniversary of National Service 1951-72. To mark this event the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) held a National Commemorative Service at the Great Hall, Australian Parliament House, Canberra on National Servicemen’s Day, 14 February 2026.

National Service Scheme, 1951-1972

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’.

National Service training, 1951–1959

Compulsory military training for young Australians was reintroduced in 1951 by the Liberal and Country Party alliance Government. It was the third such scheme to have existed in Australia since Federation. Eighteen-year-old men were required to undertake 176 days of military training as part of the National Service scheme.

National Service scheme, 1964–1972

From 1965 to 1972, over 15,300 national servicemen served in the Vietnam War, with 200 killed and 1,279 wounded. Once again the issue of conscription provoked debate within the Australian community, with university students and other members of the community taking part in large anti-conscription and anti-Vietnam War demonstrations. The National Service scheme was abolished on 5 December 1972 by the newly elected Labor Government.

A list of LVRSL Service Members who were National Servicemen appears below (we acknowledge that the list is incomplete):

Source: The Australian War Memorial

Link: https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/conscription/vietnam (accessed 19 Feb 2026)

Further Information

ANZAC Portal: https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/stories/national-service-1951-1972

National Service Australia website: https://www.nationalserviceaustralia.com/about/

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