The brigade's personnel were granted a period of leave before they reconstituted at Wondecla on the Atherton Tablelands, in Queensland. A long period of training in Australia followed during which time a large batch of reinforcements was received from the 30th Brigade, which was disbanded. During this time, the role of Australian troops in the Pacific declined, as the US took over the main Allied effort. As a result, it was not until the final stages of the war that the 16th Brigade returned to combat operations. In December 1944, the brigade was committed to the Aitape–Wewak campaign in New Guinea, when the Australians took over from US forces, which had established a base at Aitape, where they joined the rest of the 6th Division in an advance towards Wewak and then into the Torricelli Range. A series of patrol and small-scale actions followed as the Australians secured the area throughout 1944 and into 1945. Following the conclusion of hostilities in August 1945, the 16th Brigade concentrated around Dallman Harbour. Here, the demobilisation process began shortly afterwards, with drafts of personnel being returned based on priority. Meanwhile, personnel undertook parades and occupation duties, overseeing the surrender of Japanese personnel. In October, elements of the 2/2nd Battalion were sent to Merauke, amidst concerns of an Indonesian uprising. Other activities included vocational education and training, and sports, to keep the troops occupied as they awaited repatriation to Australia. The brigade was disbanded in mid-November, and its remaining personnel returned to Australia for demobilisation.