The recommendations form part of an interim report released on Friday by a parliamentary committee set up to inquire into Australia's engagement in Afghanistan.
The bipartisan committee said in its 272-page report a broad review of the Afghanistan mission was needed.
As well, the government should publish "a breakdown of the total cost of Australia's engagement in Afghanistan across each year of its engagement, as well as a breakdown of costs across departments".
"These figures should also include the costs incurred and estimated ongoing costs associated with services provided by the Department of Veterans' Affairs supporting veterans who served in Afghanistan."
An independent review was also needed into the evacuation effort following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2021.
The Afghanistan operation, the committee said, raised some broader issues which required further analysis about how Australia kept track of citizens, permanent residents, visa holders and visa applicants at risk during crisis situations overseas.
All efforts should be made to finalise visa applications for Afghan locally engaged employees and their families and assisting those still eligible to make their way to Australia.
And the government should review the pathways to permanent protection visas for Afghan asylum seekers and refugees currently in Australia, prioritising family reunions when processing humanitarian visa claims from Afghan nationals.
Australia's two decades in Afghanistan, which involved the loss of 41 lives, "had an enduring impact on the ADF and veteran community, as well as on the Australian public at large", the committee said.
"The committee sees a formal review of lessons learned as a vital part of analysing Australia's mission in Afghanistan and assisting in developing our ability to successfully coordinate whole-of-government responses in future conflicts," the report concluded.
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