The Australian L1A1 features are almost identical to the British L1A1 version of FAL, however the Australian L1A1 differs from its British counterpart in the design of the upper receiver lightening cuts.

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     The Australian sold to other countries in an export drive and many countries purchased the Australian L1A1,  mostly to the Former British Empire Colony's.

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     Australian's and the New Zealander's unlike the British were involved in the Vietnam War and the Australian L1A1 saw a lot of military service in the Vieman war. 

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    Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War began with a small commitment of 30 military advisors in 1962, and increased over the following decade to a peak of 7,672 Australian personnel following the Menzies Government's  April 1965 decision to upgrade its military commitment to South Vietnam's security.

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    By the time the last Australian personnel were withdrawn in 1972, the Vietnam War had become Australia's longest war, eventually being surpassed by Australia's long-term commitment to the War in Afghanistan.

 

   It remains Australia's largest force contribution to a foreign conflict since the Second World War, and was also the most controversial military action in Australia since the conscription controversy during World War I.

 

   Although initially enjoying broad support due to concerns about the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, an increasingly influential anti-war movement developed, particularly in response to the government's imposition of conscription.

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   The withdrawal of Australia's forces from South Vietnam began in November 1970, under the Gorton Government, when 8 RAR completed its tour of duty and was not replaced.

 

   A phased withdrawal followed and, by 11 January 1973, Australian involvement in hostilities in Vietnam had ceased. Nevertheless, Australian troops from the Australian Embassy Platoon remained deployed in the country until 1 July 1973 and Australian forces were deployed briefly in April 1975, during the fall of Saigon, to evacuate personnel from the Australian embassy.

 

 Approximately 60,000 Australians served in the war: 521 were killed and more than 3,000 were wounded.

 

    The Australian L1A1 most closely resembles the later Canadian C1 pattern, rather than the simplified and markedly unique British L1A1 cuts

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     The Australian L1A1 service rifle was in service with Australian forces until it was superseded by the F88 Austeyr  in 1988.

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      In the early 1970's the Australian Government sold off a vast amount of there War Reserve L1A1 stock the the British Army at a vastly discounted price.