This article summarises initial findings relating to Australian Defence Force (ADF) service from the 2021 Census. It provides new estimates of veteran population sizes by ADF service status, sex, geographical location and more.

More than half a million Australians (581,000) had served, or were currently serving, in the ADF

In 2021, around 60,300 people were in the regular service, 24,600 in the reserves service, and 496,000 were ex-serving

Queensland was home to the highest proportion of people who had ever served in the ADF, with 28% living there

One in twenty (5.3%) of Australian households reported at least one person who had served, or was currently serving, in the ADF

The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) Census of Population and Housing is the most comprehensive snapshot of the economic, social and cultural make-up of Australia. For the first time in the Census’ history, the 2021 Census asked questions about people’s service with the Australian Defence Force (ADF), allowing for valuable new insights into the characteristics of those currently serving permanently or in the reserves, those who have previously served, and those who have never served in the ADF.

The 2021 Census data represents personal and household circumstances of the Australian population on 10 August 2021 (Census night).

For more information on Australia’s veterans, see Who is a Veteran?.

2021 Census article: Australian Defence Force service

Data from the 2021 Census indicated that there were more than half a million Australians (581,000) who had served, or were currently serving, in the ADF. Of these:

  • Around 60,300 were in the regular service, 24,600 in the reserves service, and 496,000 were not currently serving (but had previously served in the ADF).
  • The majority were male (86%), with (14%) being female.
  • Queensland was home to the highest proportion, with over a quarter (28%) of those who had ever served in the ADF living there.
  • Around 3,200 (3.7%) of currently serving ADF members, and 11,600 (2.3%) of previously served, identified as having Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin.

One in twenty (5.3%) of Australian households reported at least one person who had served, or was currently serving, in the ADF.

For more information on ADF service results from the 2021 Census, see the 2021 Census article: Australian Defence Force Service