The Changing Roles of Women in the ADF

The demands of wars brought about change on many levels. The women found themselves in new roles, with new responsibilities.

For many families, the involvement of family members in war-related roles brought new connections. The generation that had lived through the First World War could share experiences with the generation now living through the Second World War. Mothers, daughters and sisters could support each other as they carried out roles and responsibilities related to the war.

On the far right of this photo is Mrs I. Wilson, who has five sons in the army, talking with her daughter and two nieces, all members of the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS), and her daughter-in-law, a munitions worker. (Melbourne, Victoria, December 1942).

This is First Officer B. Bowden at the Naval Base Headquarters. (Sydney, 1945-04) of the Women's Royal Australian Navy Service.  The Women's Royal Australian Navy Service (WRANS) was established in 1942 and disbanded in 1984, when women were integrated into the Royal Australian Navy. 

This photo from the Herald Newspaper show women fitters of the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) re-assembling a Pratt and Whitney "Wasp" aircraft motor. (Mildura, Vic. 1944-06-20).

The number of jobs open to women in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has continuously and expanded greatly since the first Army Nursing Service was established in New South Wales in 1899. Women can now be employed in approximately 88% of employment categories in the ADF.

One of the Royal Australian Air Force's newest C-130J Hercules aircraft Loadmasters, Corporal Jordyn Luck (left) , is joined by the first-ever female RAAF Loadmaster, Mrs Katrina Salvesen (retired) on board a No 37 Squadron C-130J Hercules at RAAF Base Richmond, New South Wales.

When the role of Loadmaster was opened for the first time to female applicants, Warrant Officer Katrina Salvesen saw her opportunity to take on a more hands-on mustering. She graduated top of her course and went on to an action-packed career that took her around the world, ensuring our aircraft were able to transport vital personnel and equipment wherever it was needed most. 

In today’s Australian Defence Forces women work in over 200 roles, and receive the same training, salaries and opportunities as men. The percentage of women in each service as of the 2017-18 report was 21.5% in the Navy, 14.3% in the Army, and 22.1% in the Air Force. According to the Department of Defence, the ADF has an overall female participation rate of 19.2%, and has grown steadily since 2011, when Defence made increasing female participation a priority, with the intent of opening all previously gender restricted roles to women.

Deputy Chief of Army, Major General Natasha Fox, AM, CSM, presents Corporal Justin Wells with the Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award during the Australian Army's 122nd birthday activities at Russell Offices in Canberra on Wednesday, 01 March 2023 (Image: Nicole Mankowski)

The changing roles of women in our Defence force reflect the changes we have undergone as a society. With the ADF’s commitment to offering excellent career opportunities to women across the 200+ roles, they continue to champion visibility and opportunities for women. As barriers to service have been removed, more and more women have achieved leadership positions across the defence force, opening pathways and offering great role models for others looking to follow in their footsteps.

Commandant of the Australian Defence Force Academy Air Commodore Jules Adams, CSC, accompanied by the Rector UNSW Canberra Professor Emma Sparks at the annual Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) Parade 

We would love to hear your stories or those of loved ones who have served or are currently serving in the Australian Defence Force. If you would like to share your experiences please reach out to [email protected] with your story and a photo if you would like to share. 

Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Newman  joined the Royal Australian Navy as a Maritime Warfare Officer (MWO) indulging her love of physical and mental challenges whilst embarking on a career by the sea. She is Captain of STS Youth Endeavour. Each year the STS Young Endeavour deliver up to 20 voyages, teaching around 500 youth participants to work together sail a square-rigged tall ship along the Australian coast. In doing so they develop skills for life – building teamwork, leadership, communication, confidence and resilience amongst participants. (Feature image and video from RAN and Young Endeavour)