In 1946, the School of Land/Air Warfare was established at RAAF Laverton to capture and exploit the lessons learnt from WWII. In 1948 the School moved to RAAF Williamtown and in 1958 the name changed to the Air Support Unit. The RAN joined the Air Support Unit in 1968 and then in 1975, the School was renamed the Australian Joint Warfare Establishment. Independent to these developments, the RAN established the Australian Joint Anti-Submarine School at Nowra in 1951. RAAF joined the school, which was reorganised and renamed the Australian Joint Maritime Warfare Centre.

The Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre (ADFWC) was formed by the amalgamation of the Australian Joint Warfare Establishment and Australian Joint Maritime Warfare Centre in 1990. The formation of the ADFWC commenced a new era of joint warfare, training and doctrine development in the ADF.

Australia has a long and proud history of helping to keep the peace in many of the world's trouble spots. In 1992, the Australian Defence Department identified the changing nature of peace operations and acknowledged that there was a need to provide related doctrine and training. Consequently on 25 January 1993, a Peacekeeping Centre was established as part of ADFWC.

The Joint Exercise Planning Staff relocated from HQADF in Canberra to become part of ADFWC in 1997. This saw the expansion of the ADFWC mission to include Joint and Combined exercising and subsequently the evaluation of selected operations and exercises.

From 1 January 2010, ADFWC was demerged along output lines with responsibility for exercise planning and evaluation outputs transferred to HQJOC. ADFWC retained responsibility for the balance of its outputs and was established as a fourth JETWC campus, to be known as the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre (ADFWC). In addition, in recognition of the global shift of focus to Peace Operations, rather than solely Peacekeeping activities, the ADF PKC was renamed the ADF Peace Operations Training Centre (ADF POTC).

Directions to ADFWC

• Directions from Newcastle to RAAF Base Williamtown

The ADFWC is commanded by a One Star Commandant and is functionally organised as follows:

Training Centre Is responsible for the provision of individual joint training and education for ADF and selected overseas forces staff. Training staff also assist with the training of joint headquarters staff for operations.

Doctrine Centre Is responsible for coordinating the development and production of ADF Joint Operational doctrine for Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS), as well as the management of all ADF Joint doctrine for CDF.

Training, Technology & Simulation Section has two areas of responsibility. Firstly it is charged with developing new concepts for joint doctrine, exercising and training. An example is the development of Effects Based Operations. Finally, the Wing develops and maintains a simulation capability for supporting exercising, doctrine and training activities. There are currently two systems being maintained. The Joint Theatre Level Simulation System and the Joint Semi Automated Forces system.

Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) is the centre of expertise for training and doctrine development related to peace operations. The Peacekeeping Centre conducts peace operations training for ADO personnel, Australian agencies such as the Australian Federal Police and for regional countries.

Support Section is responsible for the administration and support of ADFWC activities including managing financial resources, personnel, facilities and providing administrative support within ADFWC.