On 25 June 1986, "Vampire" left active service. She was decommissioned on 13 August 1986, having spent 27 years in service, and travelled . She was later presented to the Australian National Maritime Museum for preservation as a museum ship: on loan from 1990 to 1997, then transferred outright in 1997. "Vampire" is the largest museum piece on display in Australia. In 1991 "Vampire" appeared in the children's television program . The ship is also used for training RAN divers in hull clearance. In 1994, two disabled twin Bofors mounts were returned to the destroyer, replacing those removed in 1980. On 9 April 1997, permission was granted for "Vampire" to fly the Australian White Ensign, despite not being a commissioned warship.