 During World War I over 421 @,@ 809 Australians served in the military with 331 @,@ 781 serving overseas . Over 60 @,@ 000 Australians lost their lives and 137 @,@ 000 were wounded . As a percentage of forces committed , this equalled a casualty rate of almost 65 per cent , one of the highest casualty rates amongst the British Empire forces . The financial cost of the war to the Australian government was £ 188 @,@ 480 @,@ 000 . 
