Commander-in-Chief (Australia)

The commander-in-chief of the Australian Defence Force is a position established through the Constitution of Australia that is held by the governor-general of Australia. The commander-in-chief commands the Australian Defence Force, however there is no requirement for the officeholder to have previous military service. The commander-in-chief acts on the advice of the prime minister of Australia, and the minister for defence and the chief of the defence force exercise "general control and administration" and "command" of the ADF respectively under the terms of the Defence Act 1903. On 1 July 2024, Samantha Mostyn was inaugurated as the new commander-in-chief of the ADF, ex officio via her role as governor-general of Australia. Mostyn is the second woman to hold the role, since Quentin Bryce exited her tenure of the role in 2014.

Role
The role of the commander-in-chief is to, on the advice of the prime tminister of Australia, command the Australian Defence Force, its associated personnel, and activities. The commander-in-chief hosts and attends ceremonies to decorate military personnel, attends military parades and displays. The role is largely ceremonial, and a remnant from the former British Empire, as it acts on the advice of the prime minister, whilst being the federal representative of the monarch of Australia. This effectively provides the officeholder with minimal powers de facto.

Although the governor-general is commander-in-chief, members of the ADF take an Oath of Allegiance to the monarch of Australia at present Charles III to serve them and resist their enemies.