Defence recruitment in Australia has surged to its highest level in 15 years, with recent government investments significantly contributing to this upswing. As of July 1, the permanent full-time personnel count across the army, navy, and air force reached 61,189, bolstered by 7,059 new enlistments in the last financial year, marking the highest annual intake since 2014-15 and a notable 17 per cent increase from the prior year.
Among the new recruits, approximately 48 per cent joined the army, 29 per cent the air force, and 21 per cent the navy. However, the Defence Force saw over 67,900 potential candidates apply but ultimately reject or withdraw from the process. On a brighter note, the retention of personnel has improved, with the separation rate dropping to a decade-low of 7.9 per cent across Defence.
Defence Minister Richard Marles hailed the recruitment figures as “very good news” in light of the declining force that the government had previously inherited. He noted that prior to this rise, recruitment numbers were down, with a separation rate at an alarmingly high 11.2 per cent.
The recent increase in enrolments has largely been attributed to various incentives: the continuity bonus programme, enhanced housing and health benefits, and the opening of recruitment to permanent residents from New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh expressed that expanding recruitment to partner nations has proven “incredibly successful,” with around 70 applicants currently awaiting pre-enlistment courses and over 500 applications simultaneously in progress.
Keogh also pointed out that revising eligibility criteria for non-combat roles has played a role in boosting recruitment numbers. He emphasised that Defence policies should not disqualify candidates for reasons that are not truly valid, citing cases where individuals previously rejected for conditions such as endometriosis or past acne issues should not be barred from serving.
The government aims to increase the permanent full-time personnel to 69,000 by the early 2030s, as per the recommendations of the 2023 Defence Strategic Review, which highlighted the increasing threat from China. Keogh acknowledged the challenging geopolitical landscape Australia faces and reiterated that there is still substantial work needed to achieve these recruitment targets.
In conclusion, while Australia’s Defence Force is experiencing a welcome surge in recruitment amidst rising global security concerns, it remains essential to address the ongoing challenges in sustaining and expanding personnel numbers effectively.