Media Alert - National Commemorative Service: 25th Anniversary of Australian Service in Afghanistan
Department of Veterans' Affairs
MEDIA ALERT
7 September 2026
NATIONAL COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE: 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF AUSTRALIAN SERVICE IN AFGHANISTAN
A national commemorative service will be held in Canberra on Sunday, 11 October 2026, recognising the 25th anniversary of Australian service in Afghanistan (2001–2021). This date marks 25 years since the establishment of Operation Slipper, the first of several Australian Defence Force (ADF) operations for the war in Afghanistan.
WHERE: The Australian War Memorial, East Road Live Cross Area - near Poppy’s Café Forecourt, Limited parking available for media at Campbell High School (see map)
DATE: Sunday, 11 October 2026
TIME: Media to arrive by 9:00 am. The pre-service program will commence from 10:00 am. The national commemorative service will commence at 10:30 am.
*Please note media must undergo security screening prior to 9:15 am.
Media are invited to cover this significant commemoration and register their attendance with DVA Media by COB 4 October 2026 via 02 6289 6466 or [email protected].
There will be a designated media area at the service, with clear line of sight to the ceremony. The commemorative service will be broadcast live on the ABC and a clean pool feed will be available via ABC.
Between 2001 and 2021, more than 35,000 Australians served in Afghanistan and the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) in relation to the war in Afghanistan.
After the terrorist attacks in the United States on 11 September 2001 (9/11), Australian forces contributed to a multinational attempt to defeat terrorist activity and bring security to Afghanistan. Australia’s initial focus was on counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations. These missions later evolved to include reconstruction, training, mentoring and humanitarian support.
We also remember the Australians who lost their lives during or as a result of their service in Afghanistan. We acknowledge the physical and mental impacts that service has had on many veterans and families of veterans.
Further information on the service: 25th anniversary of Australian service in Afghanistan 2001-2021 | Department of Veterans' Affairs
For further information about the war in Afghanistan, visit: Afghanistan War and postwar conflicts 2001 to 2021 - Anzac Portal
DVA Media Contact: [email protected] 02 6289 6466
Media note: To arrange interviews in preparation for the anniversary, or to register for the event, contact the DVA Media Team.
Other Afghan25 Australian War Memorial events can be found here:
https://www.awm.gov.au/commemorate/afghan25
Last Post Ceremony, Commemorative Area, 4:30 pm
AWM will commemorate the 47 Australian Defence Force personnel named on the Roll of Honour who died as a result of their service in Afghanistan.
Activities for children and families at AWM will be available after the ceremony: https://www.awm.gov.au/commemorate/afghan25