Office of Australian War Graves

  • About the Office of Australian War Graves

    There are over 66,000 Australian war dead in identified graves around the world and another 35,000 commemorated on Memorials to the Missing. In Australia, there are over 12,000 war dead buried in war and civil cemeteries, over 1,000 named on Memorials to the Missing, and some commemorated in Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG) Gardens of Remembrance.

  • Maintenance of war graves and memorials

    All Australian war graves, other official commemorations and Memorials to the Missing are regularly maintained and will continue to be maintained in perpetuity to established Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) standards.

  • Commemorating our post-war dead

    It has been Australian policy since 1922 to extend official commemoration to eligible post-war deaths. There are more than 300,000 official post-war commemorations at cemeteries, crematoria and Gardens of Remembrance in Australia.

  • Our Vietnam War dead

    During Australia’s longest operational commitment 521 Australians lost their lives and the majority of these were repatriated to Australia for burial and commemoration.

  • Our Korean war dead

    The Australians fought with the United Nations forces during the Korean War and the cost was 346 Australian war dead.

  • OAWG contact details

    The staff at the ACT OAWG are available during business hours to assist and advise on any matters affecting the official commemoration of our eligible post-war veterans and those who died during war and conflicts.

  • Our war dead from other conflicts

    Since 1966, Australian service personnel who have died in conflicts overseas have been repatriated to Australia if practicable.

  • Current projects

    Projects being undertaken.

  • First and Second World War cemeteries

    The debt of honour owed to those who gave their lives in the service of their country can never be repaid but we demonstrate our gratitude and honour the sacrifice in our cemeteries in Australia and overseas.

  • Gardens of Remembrance

    There are Gardens of Remembrance in all Australian capital cities and also in Townsville and Launceston.

  • War Memorials

    War memorials fulfil our need to recognise, remember and learn about the profound losses and achievements of war

  • Search for war dead

    The following are provided to assist you in your search:

  • Overseas privately-constructed memorial restoration program

    The Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG), Department of Veterans' Affairs, on behalf of the Australian Government, administers the Overseas Privately-Constructed Memorial Restoration Program.

  • Publications and links

    Resources regarding Australian war graves.