ADF recruitment officially opens to Five Eyes

Canadian, American and British citizens will be eligible to join Australia’s defence forces by the end of the week, as the government reveals 400 New Zealand residents have applied to be part of the ADF since July.

Residents have Five Eyes countries can become Australian soldiers

Canadian, American and British citizens will be eligible to join Australia’s defence forces by the end of the week, as the government reveals 400 New Zealand residents have applied to be part of the ADF since July.

The program allowing Five Eyes partners to join the ADF was announced this year, in the wake of figures revealing the nation’s defence force was facing a shortfall of nearly 4500 troops and was not on track to reach Defence Department goals of having 69,000 men and women in uniform by the early 2030s.

On top of offering $40,000 bonuses for personnel to remain in the ADF, Labor announced New Zealanders, Canadians and people from the US and UK would be able to join up as long as they had lived in Australia for at least 12 months, had not served in a foreign military within the previous two years and passed security vetting.

Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh said the recruitment and retention challenge facing the ADF called for “bold” solutions.

“As outlined in the National Defence Strategy, Defence must recruit, retain and grow a highly specialised and skilled workforce, and that’s why from 1 January, 2025, we’re further expanding who is eligible to join the Australian Defence Force,” Mr Keogh said.

“Our people are our most important capability, but we’ve had to be bold and innovative to reverse the Defence recruitment shortfalls of the last government in order to grow the Australian Defence Force.

Minister for Veterans' Affairs Matt Keogh holds a press conference after the release of the Royal Commission Into Defence And Veteran Suicide report at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“From 1 January eligible permanent residents from our Five Eyes partners – the United Kingdom, United States and Canada – living in Australia can apply to join the ADF.“

While the government said earlier this year it expected to recruit about 350 people to the scheme by the end of the 2024-25 financial year, Mr Keogh confirmed 400 New Zealand permanent residents had started the application process in the past six months.

And according to latest figures, the government is tracking a 24 per cent increase in overall ADF personnel numbers this financial year compared to the last.

As the ADF recruitment scheme officially opens to the Five Eyes, Labor continues weighing up a Pacific recruitment plan, despite having hit a stumbling block with Papua New Guinea, which is wary of a proposal that would force those who join to become Australian citizens.

PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko told The Australian last month Canberra and Port Moresby needed to find a way forward that would not “affect the sovereignties of both countries”.

Other incentives to recruit more Australians to the ADF include a program launched in October that offers $1000 bonuses for personnel who refer someone to joining the ADF should that person go on to complete 12 months of service.

The ADF in July also launched a new recruitment campaign, “Unlike any other job”, which advertises the benefits of joining the ADF with TV and social media promotions.

But UNSW adjunct fellow Jennifer Parker warned the campaign “diluted” the message and failed to tap into the sense of purpose young people would receive with an ADF career.

“The recruitment shortfall in the ADF today isn’t due to a lack of attractive offers. Defence salaries are competitive, benefits are strong and the opportunities for career advancement are significant,” she wrote in The Strategist last month.

“But none of that will resonate with young Australians if the message of service is diluted. What the current advertisements fail to communicate is the sense of purpose that comes with wearing the uniform. That message, embedded in the traditions of the navy, army and air force, is what will inspire a new generation to enlist.”