Australian Defence Force to recruit foreign nationals

The Australian Defense Force will open recruitment for foreign nationals wishing to fast-track citizenship.

As part of the federal government’s national defense strategy unveiled in April, eligibility criteria will be expanded to fill a critical shortage of skilled workers.

Eligible New Zealanders living in Australia will be able to enroll from July 2024.

Recruitment will be open to Australian permanent residents from the United Kingdom, United States and Canada from January 2025.

To be eligible to join the ADF, permanent residents must have lived in Australia for at least one year and not have served in a foreign military in the previous two years before applying.

After 90 days of service, they will be eligible for Australian citizenship.

At a press briefing today, Defense Personnel Minister Matt Keough said the changes were expected to increase recruitment by an additional 350 personnel a year.

Keogh said Defense currently faces a target shortfall of 4,400.

“We are looking at a number of ways in which we can increase the defense force and we are very pleased that the retention rate is improving and we are now returning to something of a long-term historical average when it comes to retention,” he said.

“But we really need to grow the defense force and so looking at permanent residents who have already clearly made Australia home, who have loyalty to Australia as part of that recruitment pool, is a very important way that we can continue to grow our defense forces as we must.”

In a statement, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the plan would strengthen ANZAC ties and meet the national security challenges of the next decade.

“Australia and New Zealand have a long-standing relationship – opening up the Australian Defense Force to New Zealanders living in Australia will increase opportunities while strengthening our relationship with the ANZACs,” Marles said.

“The Australian Government has chosen to increase the Australian Defense Force as it is essential to meet the nation’s security challenges over the next decade and beyond.”