June 4th 2024.
The Australian government has recently announced that the Australian Defence Force will now be open to foreign nationals who are interested in obtaining Australian citizenship. This news comes as part of the federal government's national defence strategy, which aims to address the current shortage of skilled workers in the defence workforce. Starting in July 2024, eligible New Zealanders who reside in Australia will have the opportunity to enlist in the ADF. This will be followed by an expansion of eligibility to permanent residents from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada in January 2025.
To qualify for enlistment, permanent residents must have lived in Australia for at least one year and cannot have served in a foreign military within the past two years before applying. After 90 days of service, these individuals will be able to obtain Australian citizenship. According to Minister for Defence Personnel Matt Keogh, these changes are expected to increase enlistment by 350 personnel per year. Currently, the defence force is facing a shortfall of 4400 people in its recruitment target.
During a press briefing, Keogh mentioned that they have been exploring various ways to grow the Defence Force and are pleased to see an improvement in retention rates. However, the need to expand the force still remains, and the inclusion of permanent residents who have already made Australia their home and have a sense of loyalty to the country is seen as a crucial step towards achieving this goal.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles also commented on the matter, stating that this plan not only strengthens the bond between Australia and New Zealand but also helps in meeting the nation's security challenges in the coming years. He emphasized the long-standing relationship between the two countries and how opening the ADF to New Zealanders living in Australia will not only provide more opportunities but also strengthen the ANZAC bond.
In conclusion, the decision to open up recruitment to foreign nationals who wish to obtain Australian citizenship is seen as a significant step towards addressing the shortage of skilled workers in the defence force and achieving national security goals in the next decade and beyond.
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