Australia's most elite military unit is being overhauled, with a more senior officer to soon command the Perth-based SAS to prepare for a "challenging decade" ahead.
Nine months after the release of the damning Afghanistan war crimes inquiry, leadership of the regiment is being elevated to a colonel to ensure "sufficient capacity and appropriate oversight" for future complex missions.
In November, the Brereton report recommended 19 special forces soldiers be investigated by police for the "murder" of 39 Afghan prisoners and civilians.
At present, the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) which sits inside the Australian Army's Special Operations Command, is led by a lieutenant colonel.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton says "historic" changes to the 57-year-old regiment will improve its accountability as Australia braces for more complex "grey zone" warfare missions.
"We have seen the skill and acts of bravery of the SAS in just the last week from the work that they have done in Afghanistan. Those men and women who serve in the SAS are an incredible asset to our country."
On Tuesday, Assistant Defence Minister and former SAS captain Andrew Hastie visited the regiment's Campbell Barracks headquarters to discuss the changes to serving members.
"These are important and historic changes that will ensure the regiment's leadership is mature, experienced and better qualified to command sensitive strategic missions," Mr Hastie said.
"SASR command reform will modernise the regiment for the demanding strategic challenges of the coming decade," the Afghanistan war veteran added.
Chief of Army praises SAS role in Afghanistan, avoids mention of Brereton inquiry
Appearing via a video link, the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, also addressed the elite unit about the historic changes, praising its dangerous work in Afghanistan during the war and this month's evacuation.
"As our operations in Afghanistan conclude and the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaches, let me begin by specifically acknowledging the SAS's contribution to the defence of Australia over the past two decades," Lieutenant General Burr said.
"I know too well that this has been a difficult time for many people. I acknowledge the toll on individuals and families, and thank you all for your support to each other."
Without mentioning last year's Brereton report, the Army Chief said the overhaul would "ensure that the SAS operating model is assured and future-proofed".
"These arrangements recognise the organisation's span of responsibility and the sensitive nature of its capabilities," he said.
"This does not mean the SAS regiment will be more independent or self-contained – quite the opposite.
"With more expected of it, these enhancements recognise its geographic location and ensure that the SAS is more connected, more enabled and more accountable as part of the Special Operations Command's suite of capabilities."
