Arts, sport & collectionsStatutory authorityExists today
Australian War Memorial
AWM
1925 – present
Previously Australian War Museum (1919–1925).
The national memorial, museum and archive commemorating Australians who served and died in war and on operations, holding the national military history collection in Canberra.
Names over time
- Australian War Museum1919–1925
- Australian War Memorial1925–present
How it came into existence
Constituted in 1925 under the Australian War Memorial Act 1925, which placed the former Australian War Museum and its collections under a Board of Management; the Canberra building opened on 11 November 1941.
Reconstituted under the Australian War Memorial Act 1925.
Legislation: Australian War Memorial Act 1925; Australian War Memorial Act 1980
Changes during its life
- 11 November 1941The Memorial building in Canberra was opened by the Governor-General, Lord Gowrie.
- 1980The Australian War Memorial Act 1980 replaced the 1925 Act, constituting the Memorial as a body corporate governed by a Council.
Main functions
- commemoration of Australians who died in war
- national military history collection
- museum exhibitions
- official war history research and archive
- Roll of Honour and commemorative ceremonies
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Department of Veterans' Affairs.
- Type of body
- Corporate Commonwealth entity
- Portfolio
- Veterans' Affairs
- Accountable authority
- Council of the Memorial – Australian War Memorial Act 1980 sections 4 and 9, with reference to section 14(2) note (membership section 10)
- ABN
- 64 909 221 257
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- List of Commonwealth entities and companies under the PGPA Act, 1 July 2026 (Department of Finance)
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 11 December 2014 to the latest release (30 June 2026))
Government records and websites
Other sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.