The Returned & Services League of Australia

The RSL is Australia's largest ex-service organisation, dedicated to serving those who have served, since 1916.

Two essential pillars of RSL Australia - 'Scholarships & Grants' and 'Commemorative Events'
Two essential pillars of RSL Australia - Community and Wellbeing Services and Veteran Wellfare Services
  • Peter Tinley outside the National Office in Camberra

    National President's Newsletter

    Each month, RSL National President Peter Tinley provides an update on what the RSL National office is working on to honour, elevate, and advocate for our veteran community. Read newsletters online and subscribe to stay informed.

    Read the latest newsletter
  • National forum for Ex-Service Organisations

    National Advocacy

    The RSL is one of the most respected voices representing veterans, directly influencing the Federal Government. We advocate on important issues to current and former serving ADF members and their families.

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  • 2023 RSL members stand shoulder to shoulder - RSL Queensland

    RSL Membership

    Belong to the RSL and get involved in Australia’s largest veteran community. The RSL welcomes new members. Connect with your RSL State Branch today.

    Join us
  • Memorial ceremony at a war memorial with a uniformed Navy sailor holding a rifle in front of the memorial and other uniformed personnel, with a large audience seated behind.

    RSL Defence and National Security Committee

    The RSL Defence and National Security Committee (DNSC) is an advisory Committee that provides discussion and position papers to the RSL National Board to assist with advocacy on defence matters.

    Learn more

A Voice for Veterans

RSL Australia is a leading voice for veterans (both current and former serving ADF members) and their families, working on behalf of our independent State and Territory Branches to shape policy, legislation, and the national agenda on veterans’ affairs with the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders.  

 RSL Australia advocates to ensure the needs of veterans and their families are met, and their voices are heard.  

The RSL State, District and Sub-branches across the nation provide a broad range of welfare and wellbeing services, programs and events for current and former ADF members and their families.   RSL Memberships are managed by State Branches.

Connect with your State Branch.   

 Latest News

 
Featured
RSL Congratulates Shadow Ministers

The RSL congratulates the MPs appointed to the Federal Shadow Ministry, particularly those allocated the key Veterans’ Affairs, Defence, Defence Industry and Personnel and Sovereign Capability portfolios. The RSL is non-partisan and works with all sides of parliament in the best interests of veterans, Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and their families.

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AFOF 60th Anniversary Hike

On 13 February 2026, a group of hardy RSL members embarked on the 22km walk of the Main Range in the Kosciuszko National Park.

Their purpose - to honour our deployed ADF personnel, who serve in challenging and unfamiliar environments, away from home and family, to acknowledge the commitment and sacrifice they make on Australia’s behalf and to raise funds to continue supporting their morale and wellbeing through the ‘Australian Forces Overseas Fund’ (AFOF).

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RSL Hopes for Quick Recovery from Stand Collapse

Our thoughts are with all those injured in today’s collapse of a portable stand at the Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, and their families. We thank the first responders for their prompt action. We wish a speedy recovery to all those injured.

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RSL Joining in Honouring National Servicemen

Seventy-five years ago, the first cohort of young Australians were registered under the 1951 National Service Scheme. On Saturday, 14 February, we honour their service and that of all those who followed. The RSL will be in attendance at the national commemorative event to honour the service and sacrifice of more than 280,000 Australians called up for national service in the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s.

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