Arriving at Fremantle in February 1943, the battalion was re-organised for jungle operations on the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland; as part of this process, the units of the 9th Division were converted to the jungle divisional establishment, which resulted in the authorised strength of its infantry battalions being reduced to around 800 men. It then subsequently took part in the amphibious landings around Lae in September 1943, landing to the east of the objective and leading the Australian advance across the Busu River. During the advance, the battalion carried out a forced crossing of the Busu under heavy Japanese fire, during which 13 men were swept away in the rain flooded waters. After the capture of Lae, which fell more quickly than the Allied planners had expected, the battalion took part in the Huon Peninsula campaign that followed as the Australians followed up the Japanese forces that were withdrawing north. During this time, the 2/28th took part in actions around Finschhafen, Gusika and Wareo before returning to Australia in January 1944.