In March 1901, the Australian Army came into existence as the Commonwealth Military Forces through the amalgamation of the former colonies military forces. The existing regiments and battalions of the colonies were reorganised and renumbered due to their absorption into the national army and subsequently formed the first military units of a united Australia. At the outbreak of World War I, in July 1914, the Australian Government committed the First Australian Imperial Force (AIF), a fully volunteer force, to the war; all existing units were exempt from serving overseas due the Defence Act 1903, which stipulated that they could only serve in Australian territory.
In 1921, the Citizens Force's regimental numbering system, used since federation, was replaced by a divisional structure when the Australian Government decided to continue the unit designations of the AIF and to continue the traditions of the units of World War I. This renumbering brought about the end of localised regiments, with battalions taking up their role as community recruitment organisations.
In 1939, following the start of World War II the Australian Government created the Second Australian Imperial Force which would see combat in North Africa and the Pacific.
This list covers individual units, above or equivalent to a battalion, which were created or maintained after 1914, by either being militia units that were amalgamated and/or renumbered or being entirely new entities.
Armies The field army has been the largest ever created unit for the Australian Army and has only been utilised in the Second World War.
Former Armies
Corps In the history of the Australian Army, only during the world wars were tactical corps units raised.
Former Corps
Divisions
Active Divisions
Former Divisions
Former Infantry and Mixed Divisions
Former Light Horse Divisions
Former Armoured Divisions
Former Cavalry Divisions
Former Motor Divisions
Brigades
Active Brigades
Infantry and Mixed Brigades
Aviation Brigades
Former Brigades
Former Infantry and Mixed Brigades
Former Motor Brigades
Former Light Horse and Cavalry Brigades
Former Armoured Brigades
Regiments
Active Regiments
Active Infantry Regiments
Active Training Regiments
Active Engineer Regiments
Active Armoured Regiments
Active Artillery Regiments
Active Aviation Regiments
Active Signal Regiments
Former Regiments
Former Infantry Regiments
Former University Regiments
Former Engineer Regiments
Former Light Horse Regiments
Former Armoured Regiments
Former Artillery Regiments
Former Motor Regiments
Battalions
Active Battalions
Active Infantry Battalions
Active Health Support Battalions
Active Support Battalions
Former Battalions
Former Infantry Battalions
Former New Guinea Infantry Battalions
Former Parachute Battalions
Former Support Battalions
Former Machine Gun Battalions
Former Pioneer Battalions
Former Entrenching Battalions
See also
Independent Rifle Company
Citations
Notes