What was conscription ?
Australian men and boys have been conscripted into the Army under four different schemes during its history. The Universal Service Scheme of 1911-1929 compelled all young men between 12 and 26 to undertake various periods of military training in a cadet or CMF unit. This scheme was abolished by the Labor government immediately following its election in October 1929. Compulsory military service was introduced with the coming of war in 1939. Early on it required only men of 21 years of age to complete three months of military training, but by mid-1942 all men between 18 and 35, and all single men between 35 and 45, were required to render military service. The scheme was suspended in 1945. A third compulsory military service scheme was implemented in 1951 and continued until 1957, with 18-year-old men being required to train initially with the Regular Army and then transfer to a CMF unit. The most recent, the fourth and most controversial compulsory service scheme was introduced in 1965.
