Prime Minister Tony Abbott has thanked Australian defence personnel and others who served in Afghanistan . In an address at the welcome home ceremony in Canberra , the prime minister said Afghanistan was a better place for the service of about 35,000 Australians . He said the war in Afghanistan had ended not with victory or with defeat , but with hope for a better Afghanistan and a safer world . Scroll down for video . Australia 's involvement in Afghanistan , called Operation Slipper , spanned 13 years , from October 2001 to the end of 2014 . A Royal Australian Navy sailor and his partner listen to The Last Post . An Australian Navy soldier pays respect for fallen comrades during a parade to mark the end of Operation Slipper . Australia 's involvement in Afghanistan , called Operation Slipper , spanned 13 years , from October 2001 to the end of 2014 . During Australia 's longest war , 41 personnel died , 262 were seriously wounded and hundreds of others suffered unseen wounds . Mr Abbott said in a past war , Vietnam , those who served were not always properly recognised , but it would not be like that for those who served in Afghanistan . 'We are grateful to have you home , we acknowledge your achievements , and we thank you for your service , ' he told the large gathering at the Australian War Memorial . Australian Defence Force personnel who served in Afghanistan as a part of Operation Slipper , salute during The Last Post , as they are officially welcomed home during a parade in Canberra on Saturday . An Australian Soldier stands guard during a military ceremony to mark the end of Operation Slipper . In an address at the welcome home ceremony in Canberra , the prime minister said Afghanistan was a better place for the service of about 35,000 Australians . Australian Defence Force personnel who served in Afghanistan as a part of Operation Slipper are officially welcomed home in a parade in Canberra . Tony Abbott lies a wreath in memoriam of fallen soldiers in Afghanistan . During Australia 's longest war , 41 personnel died , 262 were seriously wounded . Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he saluted those who had served in Afghanistan who had brought new honour to the Anzac tradition . More than 2000 soldiers , sailors and airmen plus members of government agencies and veterans marched past the Australian War Memorial . Defence head Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin said Australian personnel had given new hope to the people of Afghanistan . 'We can never repay the debt of those who served , ' he said .
Prime Minister Tony Abbott thanked Australians defence personnel and others who served in Afghanistan . He said Afghanistan was a better place for the service of about 35,000 Australianss . During Australia 's longest war , 41 personnel died , 262 were seriously wounded .