The Second AIF's main strength consisted of a Corps Headquarters and five divisions:
6th Division
7th Division
8th Division
9th Division
1st Armoured Division
Divisions numbered 1st to 5th were Militia divisions, which had been raised during the inter-war years and perpetuated the numerical designations of the First AIF units that had fought during the First World War.
In addition, the 10th through 12th and the 2nd and 3rd Armoured Divisions were also Militia formations.

There were three brigades in each division.
Brigades were numbered from  16 onwards so as not to be confused with extant Militia brigades.
 There were at first four infantry battalions per brigade but this was soon reduced to three.

Units of the Second AIF prefixed their numbers with a '2/' (pronounced 'second') to distinguish themselves from Militia units.
Where such a unit did not exist in the First AIF or the Militia, the '2/' was not initially used, but later it was adopted as identifying a unit of the Second AIF.

After the war with Japan began, large numbers of experienced AIF officers were posted to Militia units.
As a consequence, units in which more than 75% of their personnel were AIF volunteers were permitted to call themselves AIF units.
By November 1944, 20 of the Militia's 33 infantry battalions were entitled to call themselves AIF.
At this time the Army was 423,000 strong, of whom 25,000 were women, and 307,000 were members of the AIF.

In the South West Pacific, the Army found that its force structure was unbalanced, with a preponderance of operational units and a grave shortage of logistical units.
The Army was also faced with government requests to release manpower to industry, and later to discharge long-serving personnel.
This was remedied by disbanding operational units.

From 1 May 1945, the Army's monthly quota was 420 men and 925 women.
As its wastage was greater than this, units were disbanded for reinforcements.
The Second AIF's main strength consisted of a Corps Headquarters and five divisions:
6th Division
7th Division
8th Division
9th Division
1st Armoured Division
Divisions numbered 1st to 5th were Militia divisions, which had been raised during the inter-war years and perpetuated the numerical designations of the First AIF units that had fought during the First World War. In addition, the 10th through 12th and the 2nd and 3rd Armoured Divisions were also Militia formations.
There were three brigades in each division. Brigades were numbered from  16 onwards so as not to be confused with extant Militia brigades.  There were at first four infantry battalions per brigade but this was soon reduced to three.
Units of the Second AIF prefixed their numbers with a '2/' (pronounced 'second') to distinguish themselves from Militia units. Where such a unit did not exist in the First AIF or the Militia, the '2/' was not initially used, but later it was adopted as identifying a unit of the Second AIF.
After the war with Japan began, large numbers of experienced AIF officers were posted to Militia units. As a consequence, units in which more than 75% of their personnel were AIF volunteers were permitted to call themselves AIF units. By November 1944, 20 of the Militia's 33 infantry battalions were entitled to call themselves AIF. At this time the Army was 423,000 strong, of whom 25,000 were women, and 307,000 were members of the AIF.
In the South West Pacific, the Army found that its force structure was unbalanced, with a preponderance of operational units and a grave shortage of logistical units. The Army was also faced with government requests to release manpower to industry, and later to discharge long-serving personnel. This was remedied by disbanding operational units.
From 1 May 1945, the Army's monthly quota was 420 men and 925 women. As its wastage was greater than this, units were disbanded for reinforcements.
Second Australian Imperial Force