The RSL has received assurances that Australian war graves damaged in the war in Gaza will be repaired and restored as soon as it is safe to do so. More than 260 Australians mostly from World War One and primarily Light Horsemen killed in 1917, are buried or have their ashes interred at the Gaza War Cemetery.

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.

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).

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.

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.

The RSL has again raised concerns regarding damage to the graves of Australian servicemen buried in the Gaza War Cemetery. The RSL has also expressed concern for the welfare of the cemetery’s gardeners and caretakers, who may have been impacted by the current conflict. More than 260 Australians are buried or have their ashes interred at the Gaza War Cemetery.

RSL Calls for Careful Stewardship of Defence Heritage in Historic Estate Reform

RSL Australia is calling on the Government to slow down and get this right, following today's announcement of the largest Defence estate divestment in Australian history.

RSL Australia National President Peter Tinley AM says while the organisation supports modernising Defence infrastructure, the sale of 64 sites, including Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, demands more careful consideration than a single announcement allows.

The RSL is the custodian of Australia’s national memory and the ANZAC tradition. We have an enduring responsibility to honour those who have served and sacrificed. For more than a century, this custodianship has been central to the League’s purpose.

In communities across the country, the RSL works to ensure the stories of service are not lost to time. Thank you to all the sub-branches undertaking important commemorative projects in 2026.

Australia Day Achievement Medallions are awarded in recognition of exceptional performance in special projects or core duties, by Government departments and agencies, not-for-profit organisations and corporate entities. RSL Australia is proud to announce the RSL recipients of the Australia Day Achievement Medallions, celebrating the remarkable individuals whose dedication fuels our community.

The RSL has condemned the vandalism of the Eltham cenotaph in Victoria. The RSL has called for concerted Commonwealth and State Government action to protect Australia's war memorials and for an increase in penalties for those caught defacing and desecrating them. "War memorials are not political props. They are symbols of unity and exist to remember service, loss and duty. They deserve protection and respect at all times," Peter Tinley said.

The RSL categorically rejects the assertion by United States’ President Donald Trump that allied forces "stayed a little back, a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan.

RSL Australia National President, Peter Tinley, said the President’s claim was factually wrong, historically ignorant, and deeply offensive to the 47 Australian service personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice, the 261 wounded, and the nearly 40,000 Australians who served in our nation's longest war.

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) Australian Forces Overseas Fund (AFOF) is celebrating its 60th anniversary next week (26 January 2026).

Through AFOF, the RSL raises funds to cover the cost of sending twice-yearly care packages to Australian Defence Force personnel serving overseas, acknowledging their commitment and the sacrifice they make on Australia’s behalf.

RSL Australia is recruiting members to join in a commemorative hike across the Main Range in Kosciuszko National Park to raise funds to support Defence Force personnel serving overseas.

The 22-kilometre hike will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Australian Forces Overseas Fund (AFOF) set up to support and honour deployed Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel.

The RSL has commended the appointment of international independent expert Nick Booth MVO to progress the establishment of a peak Australian veteran service organisation (VSO) body. We will engage closely with Mr Booth and our partner ESOs with the aim of delivering a strong, united body that can achieve significant outcomes for veterans and their families.

Witness for yourself, the theatre production of the compelling true story from WWII, honouring the bravery, strength, love and hope of Australian Army Nurses in the face of adversity. Touring Australia in 2026.

The RSL has been part of Australia’s social fabric for more than a century. It was built by veterans for veterans, an organisation forged from hardship, sacrifice and the powerful instinct of Australians to look after one another. But institutions do not survive on legacy alone. They survive because they adapt. The RSL’s mission is as vital today as it was in 1916. Australians expect us to evolve—to become a contemporary, competent organisation that delivers real value to veterans and contributes meaningfully to national life.

In 2025, RSL Australia’s National Office continued to champion the interests of veterans, serving members, and their families through impactful national advocacy, meaningful initiatives, and national commentary on issues affecting the defence community.  

The RSL Australia has called for courageous leadership and supports the establishment of a Royal Commission to independently review the failures that resulted in the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. RSL Australia National President Peter Tinley AM said Australia needed to know how the failures occurred and what needed to change to ensure such events never happened again.

The Returned & Services League of Australia utterly condemns the cowardly terrorist attack on Jewish families celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach and extends its profound condolences to those killed and injured, their families, and the entire Jewish community.

There will be a reunion held in Wodonga (Victoria) from the 14th until the 19th of October 2026  (5 days)

This reunion is for people who served with Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 1st Australian Logistic Support Group (Vietnam), and friends.