The multimedia experience at the Australian War Memorial also allows servicemen and women to tell their stories to all Australians, while the war continues.

Memorial director Brendan Nelson, a former defence minister, was determined the veterans of this war should not have to wait decades to have their stories told.

''It's different from what the memorial normally does,'' he said.

''This is an exhibition that will give all Australians an opportunity to understand what's been done in our name … it is a very powerful, evocative and informative exhibition.

''For almost 12 years now, Australians have served, fought, died, been wounded, have returned and then gone back, in our name, under our flag, to protect our interests and our values.

''We owe it to them to tell the stories of Australians now.''

Dr Nelson is concerned the prevalence of post traumatic stress among Afghanistan veterans is approaching 15 per cent.

If Diggers returning from Vietnam had been able to tell their story, they might not have suffered as much as they have, he said.

''That's not a mistake that we're going to make again.''

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott ceased electioneering briefly to listen to the names read out of the 40 Australians who have died in Afghanistan.

With drizzle falling at times, they stood with Governor-General Quentin Bryce for the reading, conducted with the memorial's Last Post service.

Colonel Jason Blain, a former commanding officer of the 1st Mentoring Task Force, said he was pleased the memorial was staging the exhibition now.

''Now I can show my children what Dad's done and why Dad was away for such a long period of time and to show it wasn't in vain,'' he said.

''It shows people tangible aspects of what we've been doing.

''I have no doubt this place will be a place of healing … 2010 was a tough year of fighting for Australia, it was an arm wrestle with the Taliban.''

Of the 40 Australian casualties, 16 were killed by roadside bombs, known as improvised explosive devices, the Taliban's signature weapon.

Some of the devices are on display in the exhibition, along with the distorted locker from an Army Bushmaster vehicle that was blasted by an IED.

None of the soldiers in the vehicle were killed, a tribute to the vehicle's design.

Exhibition curator Rebecca Britt said the destroyed locker symbolised the destructive power of the IED, along with the vehicle's robustness.

''It's going to show the impact of the IED, the dangers Australians are facing but also the way in which technology can help protect our men and women who are over there,'' she said.

''It's an incredible experience to walk into the middle of this gallery and what we're hoping is that people will feel like they're in Afghanistan.

''The images are incredibly powerful and presented in such a large scale way, with those voices, we're really hoping it will transport people to that place so they get a better understanding.

''For the veterans who've been there, we hope it helps reflect their experiences … it's become such as big part of our national story for a decade.''