Australian Defence Force offers citizenship fast-track for foreign recruits as it struggles to hire

Foreigners will be able to join the Australian Defense Force through a fast track to citizenship.

As part of the National Defense Strategy unveiled in April, eligibility criteria will be expanded to allow more people to join the defense force.

From July, eligible New Zealanders can apply to join the Australian Army.

Permanent residents from all other countries will be able to do the same from January 2025.

Once they have served 90 days, they are expected to become Australian citizens.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Miles (pictured) said the change is ‘essential’ to tackle security challenges over the next decade and beyond

The Australian Defense Force will accept New Zealanders, Americans and Britons to strengthen its ranks in exchange for Australian citizenship (stock image)

Defense Secretary Matt Keogh said the recruitment drive would not take people away from other countries.

“These are people who have already made Australia their homeland and we are offering them a fast track to citizenship by also joining the Australian Defense Force,” he told reporters in Canberra.

Mr Keogh clarified in the press conference that the option was available to all foreigners, after the initial statement indicated a fixed group of countries.

Australia’s low unemployment made it difficult to hire defense personnel and this announcement was aimed at increasing potential recruits, Mr Keogh said.

Non-citizens wishing to join the military must have lived in Australia for at least a year before enlisting, must not have served in a foreign military in the past two years, and must be able to acquire Australian citizenship.

Defense Secretary Richard Marles said this was necessary to “meet the country’s security challenges in the next decade and beyond.”

The Coalition is not opposed to the plan, but opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said it was only necessary because of Labour’s shortcomings.

“The government’s defense policy is mired in criticism, delays and things that don’t inspire the confidence to get people on board in the first place,” he told Sky News.

“We ideally want to see Australians wearing the Australian uniform.”

In a speech at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Defense Conference on Tuesday, Defense Minister Pat Conroy will link the government’s actions to those of Labor leader John Curtin, who led Australia through the Second World War.

“When we came into government, we could have simply tinkered around the edges of Defence,” he will say.

‘But that would have been wrong.

“Instead, our government has identified the need for a rational and robust strategy to guide some of the largest and most consequential investments a country can make.”

The May federal budget secured an additional $5.7 billion for Defense over the next four years, and another $50 billion over the decade.

But ASPI’s budget analysis warns that the government’s plans will not improve the country’s military capabilities over the next decade, as Beijing promises to “crush” foreign forces.

Mr Conroy is expected to outline the production of guided weapons and explosives, and outline how the government will work with the defense industry and international partners.

It will be supported by a commitment of $16 billion to $21 billion in the rebuilt Integrated Investment Program over the next decade.