Introduction
The majority of persons who meet the definition of a veteran are persons who have continuous full time service with the Defence Force (Army, Navy or Air Force) of Australia during WW1 or WW2 or who were allotted for duty in an operational area after WW2. However, some additional groups are included in the definition in relation to World War 2 and in relation to conflicts since World War 2.
Defence Personnel in World War 2
In World War 2, the definition also includes the following groups:
- persons who performed part-time service with the Citizens' Military Forces, Volunteer Defence Corps or Royal Australian Air Force Reserve;
- Duntroon cadets; and
- RAN midshipmen.
Defence Personnel in Conflicts since World War 2
In the conflicts since World War 2, the definition also includes:
- any reservists rendering continuous full time service in operational areas.
Civilians
Certain civilians can also meet the definition of a veteran. For some of these people, specific provisions of the VEA ensure that they are included in the definition of a veteran. Others are deemed to be either veterans or members of the Defence Force by Ministerial Instrument.
The persons who were not members of the defence force but still meet the definition of a veteran are:
- Merchant Mariners (WW1 and WW2).
- Civilians who participated in special missions (WW1 and WW2).
- Residents of Papua and New Guinea (British subjects) who were killed or detained by the enemy (WW2 only).
- Representatives of philanthropic organisations attached to the Australian defence forces (all conflicts)
- Commonwealth employees attached to the Australian Armed Forces such as personnel belonging to field broadcasting units, telegraphists, camoufleurs, war correspondents, photographers, and cinematographers (all conflicts).
- Canteen staff employed by contractors on HMA ships (WW1 to Malayan Emergency).
Commonwealth Veterans, Allied Veterans and Allied Mariners
For service pension purposes, some people meet the extended definition of a veteran through service with the regular Defence Force of a Commonwealth or Allied country or (in WW2 only) as an Allied mariner.