During World War II, it undertook garrison and defensive duties in north Queensland before deploying to Dutch New Guinea in 1943.

There, they undertook further training until November that year, when the troops of the 3rd Division began moving across the Channel to the Western Front.

By 1918, an 11th Brigade had been established within the 2nd Military District, consisting of the 41st (Blue Mountains), 42nd (Lachlan-Macquarie), 43rd (Werriwa), and 44th (Riverina) Infantry Battalions.

[9] Forming part of the 1st Military District,[10] the 11th Brigade was based in north Queensland at this time, with its headquarters in Brisbane.

[15] At the outbreak of World War II, the 11th Brigade consisted of four Queensland-based infantry battalions: the 26th (Hughenden), 31st (Townsville), 42nd (Rockhampton) and 51st (Cairns).

[18] In December 1941, at the outset of the war in the Pacific, the brigade was called up for full time service, and was allocated to the defence of northern Queensland.

During this time, they were engaged with improving camp infrastructure, building defences and individual and collective training.

[16] In the intervening period, the 11th Brigade, after amphibious warfare training, deployed to Merauke in Dutch New Guinea, under the command of Brigadier John Stevenson.

As a result, the brigade was withdrawn from Merauke in August 1944, and after a period of leave concentrated at Strathpine, Queensland, where they undertook further training.

In December 1944, the brigade deployed to Bougainville,[18][22] where Australian troops had taken over from US forces, which were subsequently redeployed to the Philippines.

During this time, the brigade's three infantry battalions alternated between holding actions in the central sector, and the advance in the north.

[5] At this time, the brigade was tasked with vital asset protection in northern Australia in the event of war.

[34] The brigade led recovery efforts following Tropical Cyclone Marcia in early 2015, providing a Reserve response force at short notice from elements of 31/42 RQR, the 11th Combat Service Support Battalion and the 35th Field Squadron.