The purpose of the corps was to counter a personnel shortage that developed due to fighting during the Korean War and post-World War II full employment.

[1][2] At the time of its formation, many senior WRAAC personnel had previously served in the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS), which had been raised during World War II, and as a result the WRAAC is considered to have its origins in the AWAS.

[2] Training was completed separately from male recruits at various locations including Queenscliff for soldiers and Georges Heights for officers.

Personnel were posted either to formed WRAAC companies, or to male units to fill position vacancies.

[2] By the late 1970s female soldiers had begun to be integrated into the Army at large and in late 1984, the WRAAC was disbanded with personnel being transferred to other previously all male corps based on their trade specialty.