Australian federal budget reports and official announcements

Australia to Allow Non-Australian Citizens to Join Defence Force Amid Recruitment Crisis, Reports Mark Dunn

Jun 3, 2024, 10:30 PM

The Albanese government is making significant changes to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) recruitment policies to address a workforce crisis. The new rules will allow foreign citizens, including non-Australian citizens, to join the ADF, a move aimed at bolstering military ranks amid a personnel shortfall. This decision comes after warnings that Australia’s military capability will not improve for at least a decade. Senator Jacqui Lambie has urged the government to double its defense spending, while Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Birmingham has criticized the government's handling of defense issues. Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh stated that extending recruitment to foreign nationals is a bid to 'grow the force.' The changes were reported by Mark Dunn.