The Australian government has introduced a new policy allowing eligible permanent residents from four countries to join its military without first obtaining Australian citizenship. This move aims to expand military recruitment and attract people with the necessary skills to strengthen Australia's defence force. The four countries covered by this policy are New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. The policy was announced on June 4, 2024.
New Zealanders became eligible to apply in July 2024, while permanent residents from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada gained the same opportunity in January 2025. To be eligible, applicants must have lived in Australia for at least one year and meet strict military entry, security, and other eligibility requirements. This change addresses a long-standing issue involving New Zealand permanent residents who wanted to serve Australia.
The policy does not mean every citizen of these countries can automatically join the Australian military. Applicants must hold eligible permanent resident status in Australia and satisfy the recruitment conditions. Requirements for joining the Australian Defence Force include Australian residency, no previous military service in a foreign military during the two years before application, citizenship eligibility, and entry and security checks.
Meeting these conditions does not guarantee acceptance, as applicants must still pass the relevant recruitment assessments. Group Captain Chris Ellison, Director of Military Recruiting at Defence Force Recruiting, welcomed the change, stating that it would help New Zealanders who have made a clear commitment to call Australia home to make their impact through service in the ADF.
Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh explained that the government is taking new steps to increase the size of the military and address recruitment needs. He added that recruiting from a wider pool of people will help ensure the Australian Defence Force reflects the full diversity of Australia and is able to draw on the talents of the entirety of Australian society.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles emphasized that the policy would create more opportunities for eligible New Zealanders while strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two countries. The expanded recruitment eligibility aligns with the National Defence Strategy, which calls for Australia to build and retain a highly skilled defence workforce.
Alongside the expanded eligibility rules, the Australian Defence Force plans to streamline its Overseas Lateral Recruitment Scheme, allowing the military to recruit skilled personnel who have already served in foreign armed forces to address specific capability gaps. This move aims to help Australia attract more qualified personnel and strengthen its military workforce.
Key points
- Eligible permanent residents from New Zealand, the UK, US, and Canada can join the Australian military without citizenship.
- Applicants must have lived in Australia for at least one year and meet strict military entry, security, and other eligibility requirements.
- The policy aims to address recruitment challenges and broaden the pool of people available to serve in the country's armed forces.
