ADF changes medical criteria in effort to boost number of recruits

The Australian Defence Force is overhauling one of its most critical policies and it could change the way the nation’s military will look forever. See what they’re planning.

Braces, acne and mental health challenges will no longer be a barrier to entry into the Australian Defence Force under sweeping changes to address the military recruitment crisis.

In one of the biggest shifts in ADF recruitment policy ever attempted, 14 medical criteria that currently see 70 per cent of potential ADF recruits automatically rejected each year will no longer apply.

Defence calls it “widening the aperture of eligibility” and comes nine months after new ADF Careers Centres were opened in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth to handle an expected increase in candidate interviews and assessment.

The 14 that restricted entry, based on diagnosis only versus actual assessment, include some of the most commonly known conditions suffered in the community

Students conducting training activity on No.1 Recruit Training Unit course. Picture: RAAF/Defence

These include musculoskeletal, sprains and ligament strains or surgery, orthodontic braces, bad acne and dermatitis, and visual impairment or family history of glaucoma, although this would remain based on role suitability.

A strict minimum time for post gynaecological surgery, including pregnancy and or endometriosis, has been dropped with women able to join six months post C-section.

Haematological conditions that can be treated with medication such as vitamin deficiencies will also be considered as will mental health entry standards, with non-suicidal self injury now to be assessed on a case-by-case basis as well as ADHD sufferers and those with “adjustment disorders”, cited specifically as including marital breakdown and Covid lockdowns.

From February, Defence reviewed several policies in seven broad categories that had seen tens of thousands of possible recruits rejected to make a new assessment on changed Australian community of standards, treatments and acceptance.

The new pods at the state-of-the-art ADF Careers Centre in Sydney. Picture: Rodney Braithwaite/Defence

Minister for Defence Personnel Matt Keogh said the challenge around workforce recruitment was recognised and confirmed policy review had seen the scope to recruit broadened.

He said the military’s one-size-fits-all position no longer reflected diversity of society or needs.

“We are committed to a stronger force that is more reflective of the Australian community it serves. When communities see themselves in our ADF, they are more likely to join,” he said.

“Reversing the shortfalls of the last government requires a suite of complementary policies, like more appropriate fitness requirements, streamlined recruit processing, improved support for families, financial incentives and more under consideration.”

Graduation ceremony of General Entry 421 Shipp Division held at the Royal Australian Navy Recruit School in HMAS Cerberus, Victoria. Picture: Christopher Szumlanski

These changed conditions don’t necessarily mean that someone is guaranteed to get into the ADF, however, they won’t knock someone out at the first pass as they have previously.

Height and weight restrictions of possible recruits were removed years ago as were broad one-size-fits-all fitness tests.

Last week’s federal budget reinforced that ADF recruitment was in crisis with a workforce of 63,597 personnel across the services required in the coming 2024-25 but an estimate only 58,600 will be reached. That is a projected shortfall of 5000 personnel at a time when the ADF is attempting it biggest overhaul in a generation.

An Australian Army recruit from 1st Recruit Training Battalion Kapooka presents arms during drill practice at Blamey Barracks Kapooka, NSW, where they are taught mental and physical resilience, military drill, field craft, navigation, teamwork, confidence and marksmanship. Picture: LAC Adam Abela

The size of the ADF has sat around the 58,000 mark for almost a decade but in 2020, and reaffirmed this year, the federal government and Defence committed to having a force of 80,000 uniformed personnel by 2040, the largest size since the Vietnam War.

The policy change could not come soon enough for the beleaguered ADF Recruitment (ADFR) with the blueprints for the future of Australia’s military and national security outlook – the Defence Strategic Review, 2024 National Defence Strategy and Defence Integrated Investment Program pointing to the urgent requirement to get people into the ranks to meet the most dire strategic circumstances in a generation and to deliver “operational capability” of new war fighting tools, including nuclear-powered submarines, being procured.

“Following our rebuild of the Integrated Investment Program we are now developing a Workforce Plan to match, to ensure we are recruiting the right number of the right roles for the capabilities of now and the future for our integrated Force,” Mr Keogh said.

“How we support our Defence personnel and veterans is an important part of our recruitment and retention efforts. Ensuring we have a lethal, effective, supported and appropriately-sized force is a major priority.”

Caitlyn Mather, 18, is trying to kick start her career in the ADF, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

Caitlyn Mather, 18, had just finished high school and her HSC and in January immediately applied to join the ADF.

But after going through the application process including medical checks was told her preferred role as admin was not available but other roles including submariner was but it could now be “six to 12 months or even potentially longer” before she would be processed.

She said it was good the ADF was now widening the recruitment potential - one of her friends was rejected because of prescription eyesight - but she said she was ready to go now but doesn’t know how long she will wait.

“It was disappointing,” she said.

“I am ready to join now. I was still not fully sure what I wanted to do as a career and I thought joining the defence force was a good way of giving back but also learning skills I could use throughout my life. I learnt a lot while in cadets and really liked how structured it was, everything had a plan.

“I can’t say I was frustrated because I was warned by my friends (also trying to join) so I saw it coming but its certainly not great.”