Australian soldiers in Afghanistan will kick off 2015 with a new mentoring and training mission, as 13 years of military engagement winds up.
On January 1, the US-led International Security Assistance Force combat mission, which has suffered 3485 military deaths since 2001, will be replaced by a NATO "training and support" mission.
There are 400 Australian troops still in Afghanistan who will undertake the work along with 9800 American troops and other foreign soldiers.
Australian commander Major General David Mulhall, paid tribute to the 26,500 men and women who had served in Afghanistan since 2002.
He also hailed the bravery and sacrifice of the 41 Australian soldiers who had lost their lives there.
The remaining contingent of soldiers face considerable danger, Major General Mulhall said.
Afghan soldiers and police who will take charge of their country's security have an uphill battle to tackle Taliban insurgents.
Their ranks have sustained soaring casualties with 4600 killed in 10 months in 2014.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has expressed concern about ongoing security problems in Afghanistan and insists Australia will be monitoring the situation closely.
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