Removing historical homosexual defence service convictions

Current and former serving ADF personnel can now apply to have historical homosexual convictions extinguished from their service records.

Up until 1992, consensual homosexual activities could be prosecuted as service offences under Australian military discipline law.

To address the ongoing harm caused by these historical convictions, the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 (Cth) was recently amended to allow eligible individuals to apply to have convictions for consensual activity formally extinguished, meaning they are treated as if the conviction never happened.

To learn more or apply, visit: www.defence.gov.au/about/governance/military-justice-system