Introduction
This topic covers service recognised for Australians who served in [glossary:Commonwealth or Allied forces:].
Qualifying service
Qualifying service for a member of the forces of a Commonwealth or allied country who was domiciled in Australia immediately before his or her service in those forces is determined on the criteria for a member of a Commonwealth or allied force for that period of service.
Operational service
To have service with the forces of a Commonwealth or allied country during WWI or WWII recognised as operational service a veteran must have been domiciled in Australia immediately before his or her appointment or enlistment in those forces and:
rendered continuous full-time service during WWI or WWII with a Commonwealth or allied force; and
served outside that Commonwealth or allied country; or
within that country but in such circumstances that the service should, in the opinion of the Commission, be treated as service in actual combat against the enemy[glossary:.:]
Operational service after WWII for a member of the forces of a Commonwealth or allied country who was domiciled in Australia immediately before his or her appointment or enlistment in those forces is:
continuous full time service in an operational area.
It should be noted that the concept of allotment for duty does not apply to persons who served with Commonwealth or allied forces. Allotment is a process administered by the Department of Defence and is applicable only to the defence forces of Australia.
Domicile
A person's domicile is a key point in determining periods of service with other armed forces. A person acquires an originating domicile from their country of birth. If they permanently move (migrate) to another country, then their current domicile changes to that country.