Plan your ANZAC Day
Let’s show the ANZAC spirit lives here
While ANZAC Day began to recognise those who served in WWI, it’s grown to mean much more. It’s a call to carry the immutable values of the ANZAC spirit – courage, sacrifice and mateship – every day.
It’s also an important reminder of just how lucky and grateful we are.
Whether you join a Dawn Service, pause at home in quiet reflection, or share stories with family and friends, every action – big or small – honours the ANZACs and shows us that the ANZAC spirit lives here.
Here’s some essential information to help you plan your ANZAC Day.
ANZAC Day Dawn Services, marches and other ceremonies will be held Australia-wide on 25 April. These events are free and open to everyone in the community.
To find your nearest ANZAC Day service, click your state on the map.
Take part anywhere
Can’t make it to a service in person? Commemorate ANZAC Day at home, at work or on the road with live ABC coverage, downloadable recordings and other resources.
More ways to commemorate ANZAC Day
Looking for more ANZAC Day commemoration ideas? Aside from commemorative services, here are some other ideas of what to do on ANZAC Day:
Join or host a gunfire breakfast
A gunfire breakfast is a favourite ANZAC Day tradition held after the Dawn Service and before the ANZAC Day march. Veterans and – in many cases – members of the community are welcome.
Find your local Sub BranchBake ANZAC biscuits
Whether you like them chewy or crunchy, it’s hard to beat freshly baked ANZAC biscuits. Give our tried-and-true recipe a go.
ANZAC biscuit recipeDonate to the ANZAC Appeal
The ANZAC Appeal supports veterans and their families in times of need. To support the ANZAC Appeal, buy a badge from RSL Sub Branches and volunteers or through Woolworths and Officeworks stores nationally, or donate securely online.
DonateVolunteer
RSL Sub Branches are always looking for volunteers to help out. Whether on ANZAC Day or at another time of year, it’s a great way to support veterans and their families.
Find your local Sub BranchANZAC Day FAQs
What time are Dawn Services held?
What time are Dawn Services held?
ANZAC Day Dawn Services start at different times in different states. For more details, please click your state on the map above.
Who can march on ANZAC Day?
Who can march on ANZAC Day?
Since WWI, ANZAC Day marches have allowed communities to come together and publicly acknowledge those who served or sacrificed.
ANZAC Day marches were traditionally for veterans who saw active service. However, many of today’s marches also include current Australian Defence Force personnel, cadets, relatives of current or former service people, veterans of Commonwealth or Allied forces, ex-service and emergency services groups, and youth or community groups.
Please be aware of any march guidelines, which outline who can march and vary for different events.
If you wish to march, you’ll likely need to register in advance. Generally, however, anyone can attend a march as a spectator without registering.
For details on a particular ANZAC Day march, please consult the RSL in your state or contact the nearest RSL Sub Branch.
ANZAC Day medals
ANZAC Day medals
If you or a late relative were awarded service medals, you’re encouraged to wear them (or replicas) at ANZAC Day commemorations – provided you follow the relevant protocols.
These are outlined in full at pmc.gov.au/publications/wearing-awards and rslaustralia.org/rsl-protocols, but you’ll find a quick summary below.
How to wear medals (or replicas)
If the medals were awarded to you
- Wear your medals/replicas on the left breast of your jacket, shirt or dress.
- You may also wear a deceased relative’s medals/replicas on the right breast (see more below).
If the medals were awarded to your late relative
- Wear the medals (or replicas) on the right breast of your jacket, shirt or dress.
- Only one relative of a deceased veteran may wear one full set of the veteran’s medals/replicas at any one time.
- It’s considered inappropriate to wear the medals/replicas of more than one deceased relative at one time.
Poppies or rosemary for ANZAC Day?
Poppies or rosemary for ANZAC Day?
On ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day, it’s acceptable to wear a poppy, sprig of rosemary, or both. Most people pin it near their heart (e.g. on their left lapel) or secure it in place with medals.
Throughout the Commonwealth, the red poppy has long been associated with remembrance. Poppies are traditionally worn on Remembrance Day (11 November), and are often worn on ANZAC Day, in memory of the fallen.
Rosemary also symbolises remembrance and, being native to the Gallipoli peninsula, has special significance to ANZAC Day. Rosemary is often worn on ANZAC Day, and sometimes Remembrance Day, to honour those who served.
Poppies or rosemary sprigs are often distributed by RSL Sub Branches at commemorative services.