Following the commencement of hostilities with Japan, the division's units were moved to the area between Perth and Geraldton, Western Australia, as part of III Corps, to counter the perceived threat of a Japanese invasion.
Following the commencement of hostilities with Japan, the division's units were first deployed to nothern New South Wales. The Division was moved to the area between Perth and Geraldton, Western Australia in January 1943 as part of III Corps to counter the perceived threat of a Japanese invasion.