After several weeks of working up, "Barcoo" was tasked to New Guinea in March 1944 for convoy escort duty. "Barcoo" and the corvette shelled Japanese positions on Kar Kar Island and at Banabun Harbour. From June to August, the frigate was heavily involved in convoy escort and troop transport duties. On 28 August, "Barcoo" rescued two United States Army Air Force pilots who had been forced to ditch their P-47 Thunderbolts at sea. During September and October, "Barcoo" returned to Sydney for maintenance refits. Returning to the New Guinea operations area, "Barcoo" operated against Japanese positions in New Guinea during November, including the shelling of Wilde Bay. Convoy escort and patrol duties continued until late January 1945, when the frigate returned to Australia.