The Australian Defence Force (ADF) can provide ceremonial support for official and commemorative events run by the Government and the wider Australian and veteran communities.

Ceremonial support can be provided by local ADF teams in each state or territory. Each year the ADF receive hundreds of requests for ceremonial support for events held in communities around Australia. Availability will vary depending on training and operations at the time of the event.

Lead-in time

Note: All requests for Defence ceremonial support must be submitted at least 12 weeks before the event to allow sufficient time for processing. A separate request must be submitted for each event. Events separated by time or location must be submitted as separate requests.

If the request is for an event within within the 12 week lead-time, contact the Joint Operations Support Staff office to discuss possible support options.

Refer to Guidance for ceremonial support requests page prior to submitting a request.

Prioritisation

Provision of support is prioritised in the following manner.

  1. National days of significance: These include Australia Day, Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.
  2. Regal, Vice Regal and Heads of State events: Requests to support His Majesty the King or his representative, a member of the Royal family, a foreign sovereign, the Head of State of a foreign country, a member of a reigning foreign Imperial or Royal family, the Governor-General of Australia, the Governor-General of a Commonwealth country or a State Governor.
  3. Government events: Requests to support the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, or federal/state ministers and parliamentarians.
  4. Major commemorative events: Requests to support services led by the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Australian War Memorial.
  5. Community-requested support: Requests to support commemorative events submitted by organisations within the community, including veterans' groups and schools.

If there is an ongoing affiliation with an ADF or Cadet unit, please include the unit details in the request form under 'Has this event had ceremonial support in the past'? Include the full contact name and when the support was previously provided.