Australian Army to allow recruits from four nations
But Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh says low levels of unemployment in Australia has made it “very difficult” to recruit – with recent government figures estimating the ADF is already short about 5000 people.
While Australia has a history of accepting small numbers of military transfers from a few allied nations, the new eligibility rules are aimed at significantly widening the pool of potential recruits.
As well as meeting ADF entry standards and security requirements, those wishing to join must have been permanent residents of Australia for over a year and must not have served in a foreign military in the previous two years.
They must also be eligible for Australian citizenship – something they will be offered and “expected” to take up after 90 days of service, says Mr Keogh.
The opposition spokesman for foreign affairs said they were not against the plan, but that the government’s defence strategy was undermining confidence and morale in the defence force.
“We want to see, ideally, Australians wearing the Australian uniform,” Simon Birmingham told Sky News Australia.
Australia, the UK, US, Canada and New Zealand also work closely together in intelligence sharing under an alliance called the Five Eyes.