Major exercises such as Exercise Hamel allow commanders to ensure their formations and units are battle ready, and headquarters to exercise their processes and procedures. The exercises are designed to evaluate war fighting skills and provide opportunities for Australian forces to interact with participating allied forces.
Exercise Hamel primarily takes place in the larger training areas of Cultana in South Australia, and Shoalwater Bay in Central Queensland. Other training areas provide locations for associated components of the exercises. These may include Mount Bundy in the Northern Territory, High Range Training Area in North Queensland, and other airspace and maritime zones.