With nearly 220,600 members and 1,395 Sub-Branches throughout Australia the League, and its achievements, are the envy of political parties and other interest groups alike.
The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) is a National Organisation operating through National Headquarters, State Branches, District Boards and Sub-Branches. The RSL ideals and objectives which had characterised the initiation of the first state associations in 1916 were correlated and finally adopted, in the following form, as the aims and objectives of the League:
- To perpetuate the close ties of friendship created by mutual service in the Australian Defence Force or allied forces, to maintain a proper standard of dignity and honour among all past and present serving members of the Defence Force and to set an example of public spirit and noble hearted endeavour;
- To preserve the memory and records of those who suffered and died for Australia;
- To provide for the sick and wounded and needy among those who have served and their dependents including pensions, medical attention, homes and hospital visiting;
- To inculcate loyalty to the Nation, to guard to good name and preserve the interests and standing of members of the Defence Force; and
- To promote our policy on national questions, particularly:
- the unity of the Commonwealth of Nations,
- the Defence of Australia,
- the maintenance of a sustainable and selective immigration policy,
- the development of a national Defence infrastructure and Defence industry, and
- the promotion and proper employment of the nation's natural resources.