Marise Payne's elevation as the nation's first female defence minister may be groundbreaking for Australia but she follows a long line of international counterparts in similar positions.
Germany, Italy, Norway, Slovenia, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a number of small African nations all have female defence ministers.
Senator Payne has most in common with Ursula von der Leyen, who became the first German woman to hold the post in 2013.
Both had some previous experience in managing social policy.
Senator Payne managed social security payments as human services minister, while Ms von der Leyen was previously social affairs and labour minister.
Italy's Roberta Pinotti, also a senator, has been in the job since 2014 and previously worked to reform her country's military criminal code.
Slovenia's Andreja Katic took over the job from a male earlier this year after internal political controversy.
And Norway's Ine Eriksen Sreide is just 39, 12 years younger than Senator Payne.
Domestically, Senator Payne follows fellow Liberal Bronwyn Bishop and Labor's Ros Kelly both of whom held the junior defence posts under the Howard and Hawke governments.
The minister for defence science and personnel portfolio has been allocated to Mal Brough, a former Army captain.
However, some believe the focus on Senator Payne's gender should not be over-emphasised.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute's Andrew Davies doesn't see it as a major issue.
"I think it's really about ministerial competence and what defence is doing for continuity," he told AAP.
"It's a healthy sign for our polity that a female can be given the defence portfolio but it's not a major part of the story."
Senator Payne takes on the job at a strategic time for the nation, with military operations in the Middle East and with major defence announcements on the way.
The draft defence white paper is in her tray and a controversial decision on the next fleet of submarines awaits.
Dr Davies says Senator Payne has a steep learning curve ahead of her.
Former defence force chief Admiral Chris Barrie is delighted at the appointment of Australia's first-ever female defence minister.
"This is indicative of the kind of changes Australians have been looking for for some time," he told AAP.
Admiral Barrie has a very high regard for Senator Payne.
"I know she has stayed in touch with national security matters, as has the prime minister. We can look forward to significant change in a lot of things."
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