RSL ACT Branch Anzac Day Veterans' March Guidelines

Registration

Registration to march can be submitted by groups/contingents (e.g. associations), or individuals. Individual participants who are not members of a service unit/association may be advised to march with a relevant contingent following registration or will be instructed where to join on the morning as per the published order of march. Relatives of veterans are welcomed participants and form a contingent marching behind the veterans. Registration submissions are due by Tuesday 14 April 2026. Late contingent will not be included in the published order of the march but may be acknowledged during proceedings; however, individuals may continue to register after this date. Participants are to follow the directions of the parade marshals on the day.

Eligibility

There are four ways to participate in the march:

  1. as a current or former serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) member, or deployed civilian
  2. as the relative of an ADF veteran
  3. as a veteran of a Commonwealth or Allied force
  4. as a contingent of ADF school aged cadets

*For the purposes of the march, any current or former serving ADF member is defined as a veteran

General Information

  • The RSL ACT Branch Anzac Day Veterans’ March is not a parade and therefore no vehicle, animal, weaponry or memorabilia (including historical uniforms) may be included without prior approval by RSL ACT. Political slogans are not to be displayed by march participants
  • Escorts to Colours and service contingents may only carry arms when authorised by RSL ACT
  • Due to the number of participants and their safety, prams and strollers are not permitted in the march
  • RSL ACT does not keep, or arrange to have made, any military banners or flags for veterans to march behind
  • Contingents with military banners or flags must be capable of carrying them without assistance
  • A carer may accompany a veteran who is participating in the march (up to two per veteran marching). Carers must be over the age of 18 and physically capable of assisting the veteran who is marching 
  • For awareness, some contingents may be required to march over approximately one kilometre. There will not be seating available as contingents form up on Anzac Parade, however they will be directed to allocated seating after they have marched off the Parade Ground. Participants with accessibility requirements have the option to muster at a holding point closer to the Parade Ground, and join their contingent as it approaches. Participants can outline their accessibility needs in the online registration form
  • Veterans of a Commonwealth or Allied force should be clearly identifiable by their campaign medals in the respective national contingent 
  • Relatives of ADF, Commonwealth or Allied force are to march in the 'Relative of Veterans contingent'. One relative may represent a single veteran and march as part of this contingent. To ensure the safety of all participants, it is recommended that any young people marching as part of the family contingent should be high-school aged and capable of keeping pace with the march
  • The march is conducted outdoors, dress to weather conditions. Business/smart attire is suggested
  • Medals should be worn on the left breast only by the person who has been awarded those medals. Relative's medals are worn on the right breast and medal groups should not be broken up and worn by additional relatives. Some veterans may wear medals on both sides: their own and those of a relative. For further information regarding medal protocol, please visit the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website
  • Out of respect for the occasion, we ask that participants do not film or photograph proceedings while marching. Relatives or friends are welcome to capture your participation as spectators
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