ADF | Exercise Austral Shield 2024 – Nationwide Homeland Security

Australian Defence Force personnel are working side-by-side with state authorities in Western Australia and Queensland from 12 to 28 July 2024 as part of Exercise Austral Shield 2024. Exercise Austral Shield 2024 is designed to exercise the Australian Defence Force’s short-notice response to a domestic security threat. This year Exercise Austral Shield is being held across northern Australia with Australian Army Reserve personnel mobilised at short notice to assist state emergency services in the execution of domestic security response against a simulated domestic threat. Exercises like Austral Shield are an essential part of maintaining an agile and ready force. The Australian Defence Force maintains short notice and specialist capabilities that may be called upon, under Commonwealth direction, to assist the civilian authorities in responding to domestic security threats.