Arthur Gietzelt was born in San Francisco[1] of Australian-born parents, and educated at Hurstville High School in south-western Sydney.

He served in the armed forces in New Guinea during World War II from 1941 to 1946[2][3] along with his younger brother Ray Gietzelt.

[6] In 1976 Gietzelt joined Jim Cairns, Barry Egan and Bridget Gilling as a member of the Tribunal on Homosexuals and Discrimination.

He was appointed Minister for Veterans' Affairs in March 1983 in the first Hawke Ministry and held that position until July 1987.

[9] His younger brother was Ray Gietzelt, a famous Australian trade unionist who led the Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union of Australia (FMWU; later known as United Voice) from 1955 to 1984.