 The process of repatriation did not end there , though . Upon their return to Australia the effort shifted towards placing the returned soldiers into employment , or education and taking care of those that were too badly injured to work . In order to meet these needs the Commonwealth established the Repatriation Department , tasked with managing the placement of returned soldiers into employment , training , education , housing . Eventually this also included the colossal task of managing the provision of war pensions , managing repatriation hospitals and convalescent homes and administering the Soldier Settlement Scheme . The total cost of these provisions was considerable , and in June 1935 it was estimated to have cost approximately £ 238 @,@ 000 @,@ 000 which was more than the total amount spent on defence during the war . 
