Air chief marshal is a higher rank than air marshal and is a lower rank than Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force, which has only ever been awarded as an honorary rank.

Air chief marshal is a direct equivalent of admiral in the Royal Australian Navy and general in the Australian Army.

Australian air chief marshals may also fly an officer distinguishing flag.

However, it was not until 1965, when Frederick Scherger became Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and was promoted to air chief marshal, that an RAAF officer attained the rank.

Throughout the history of the RAAF, only four of its officers have held the rank: