The 33-year-old Rockhampton man was nabbed at Brisbane Airport when he returned from Thailand on Wednesday.
Australian Border Force officers allegedly found identifying material of interest to counter-terrorism investigators on his electronic devices alongside the patches and equipment.
He was charged with one count of incursion into a foreign country with the intention of engaging in hostile activities, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
The Joint Counter Terrorism Team - comprised of ASIO, Australian Federal Police and Queensland Police - will allege the man travelled to Thailand in January 2026.
He allegedly had plans to travel onwards to Myanmar to engage in hostile combat activities with an armed group involved in the ongoing civil war.
Myanmar has been plagued by civil war since its generals staged a 2021 coup against the government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said travelling internationally to take part in foreign wars was an offence the agency took seriously.
"Travelling out of Australia to engage in hostile combat overseas is a serious criminal offence," he said.
"Anyone who attempts to engage in such an act will be investigated and be held accountable of their criminal actions."
Police also searched the man's home in Rockhampton.
He appeared before a Brisbane court on Thursday. The man remains in custody and will face court again on May 15.
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