The 16th Infantry Brigade was reformed on 13 October 1939, again as part of the 6th Division. After its headquarters was opened at Victoria Barracks, in Paddington, New South Wales, the brigade moved to Ingleburn the following month. Consisting of four infantry battalions – the 2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/3rd and 2/4th – the brigade was the first raised as part of the all volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF). After rudimentary training, the brigade embarked for the Middle East in January 1940, reaching Julis, in Palestine, the following month. The brigade was reduced to three battalions in May, as the Australian Army was reorganised to replicate the British Army's brigade structure. This saw the 2/4th Battalion being transferred to the 19th Brigade. Training continued during this time until the 16th Brigade moved to Helwan in Egypt, where they received the remainder of their equipment. Divisional exercises took place in October and November, after which the 6th Division was deployed to Libya.