Timeline
| Date | |
|---|---|
| Dec 16, 1948 | into RAN as HMAS Sydney, with deck letter K |
| Oct 4, 1951 | relieved HMS Glory for Korean War service with CAG-21 embarked, until 2 Feb 1952. Assigned RN Dragonfly HR.1 VZ965 as SAR Flt. |
| Nov 1952 | relieved HMS Ocean as Duty Far East carrier. |
| Jun 15, 1953 | attended Coronation Fleet Review at Spithead Fleet Review: Coronation Review of the Fleet |
| Jan 1954 | received Dragonfly HR.3 WP498/-K on loan from FAA for 4 months, during Korean War deployment. |
| May 12, 1954 | relieved by HMS Warrior, off Korea, to end deployment |
| Apr 1955 | role amended to flying training carrier and deck letter changed to S, with imminent appearance of HMAS Melbourne |
| Sep 21, 1956 | departed Australia for S E Asia exercises. Group included HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Quadrant, HMAS Queenborough and HMAS Quickmatch. Only time HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Sydney ever deployed together. |
| May 1958 | into reserve, at approx 6 months notice to reactivate |
| 1961 | conversion to fast transport role (primarily for Army support), completed 1962 |
| Mar 4, 1961 | RAN 723 Sq Sycamore XD654/909 ditched alongside RN HMS Hermes, while operating from HMAS Sydney, 4 Mar 1961 nr the Cocos Islands Accident |
| Mar 1962 | recommissioned as a troop ship. |
| 1965 |  Vung Tau Harbour between 1965 and 1972, engaged in 20 or so supply missions to South China Sea (off Viet Nam), earning the nickname Vung Tau Ferry. Typically carried 4 Wessex HAS.31 for ASW duties. Vung Tau |
| Jun 8, 1965 |  Da Nang Bay offloaded Australian troops at Da Nang as part of Canberras contribution to US support in the war. |
| Sep 20, 1968 | participated in Exercise Coral Sands, until 10 Oct. Exercise Exercise Coral Sands |
| Oct 12, 1968 |  Wellington, Queen's Wharf visit to Wellington until 18 Oct, following Exercise Coral Sands. Wellington |
| Nov 1973 | |
| Dec 1975 | sold for scrap Oct 1975, left for South Korea Dec 1975 |
See also
| Built | Ship | Class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | FFG 03 | HMAS Sydney | Adelaide class |
| 2020 | DDGH 42 | HMAS Sydney | Hobart class |