1970s - Early 2000s: PFAS-containing products such as Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) are used widely at Defence sites for firefighting training and emergency responses.
2000s: International research starts highlighting the environmental and health risks associated with PFAS. This leads to a gradual phase-out and the beginning of a transition to alternative substances in many areas, including Defence sites in Australia.
2004: 3M, the primary manufacturer of AFFF, voluntarily stops production of PFOS, a type of PFAS compound, signaling a significant shift in industry practices.
2010: The Department of Defence in Australia ceases the use of AFFF containing PFAS at training sites across the nation.
2012: The Department of Defence begins a national program to investigate PFAS contamination at its bases.
2014-2015: Discovery of PFAS contamination in Williamtown, New South Wales. Environmental investigation commences and a management area is established.
2016: Discovery of PFAS contamination at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre, Queensland. Human health risk assessment begins and a management area is established. Later in the year, PFAS contamination is also found at the Royal Australian Air Force Base in Tindal, near Katherine, Northern Territory, triggering another environmental investigation.
2017-2018: Further investigations are launched at other Defence sites across Australia, leading to the discovery of elevated PFAS levels at several other sites including Darwin and Townsville.
2019-Present: Remediation efforts and ongoing monitoring are in progress at various contaminated sites.