The Australian Government has expanded Australian Defence Force (ADF) recruitment to permanent residents from four countries, allowing eligible non-citizens to apply for military service without first obtaining Australian citizenship.
The policy, announced on June 4, 2024, opened a new recruitment pathway for permanent residents from New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.
According to the Australian Department of Defence, New Zealand permanent residents became eligible to apply from July 2024, while those from the UK, US and Canada gained eligibility from January 2025.
The policy remains relevant to prospective applicants in 2026, subject to current Australian Defence Force recruitment requirements.
However, eligibility is not automatic. Applicants must satisfy residency conditions, meet standard entry and security requirements, and be able to obtain Australian citizenship.
Four Countries Whose Permanent Residents Can Join Australia’s Military
The expanded recruitment policy covers eligible permanent residents from the following countries:
- New Zealand: Eligible permanent residents have been able to apply since July 2024.
- United Kingdom: Eligible permanent residents have been able to apply since January 2025.
- United States: Eligible permanent residents have been able to apply since January 2025.
- Canada: Eligible permanent residents have been able to apply since January 2025.
The policy allows qualifying applicants to pursue military careers without first becoming Australian citizens.
However, it does not mean that all foreigners can join the ADF under this arrangement. The special eligibility pathway is limited to permanent residents from the four named countries who meet the applicable conditions.
Interested applicants should confirm the requirements for their preferred military role through the official ADF Careers website.
Australian Defence Force: Who Qualifies to Apply?
Beyond the standard entry and security requirements, eligible permanent residents must satisfy three key conditions.
1. Live in Australia for at least one year
Applicants must have lived in Australia for at least one year immediately before submitting their application.
2. Have no recent foreign military service
Prospective recruits must not have served in a foreign military during the two years preceding their application.
3. Be eligible to obtain Australian citizenship
Applicants must be able to obtain Australian citizenship, even though they do not need to become citizens before applying through this pathway.
Meeting these conditions does not guarantee recruitment. Candidates must also satisfy the relevant medical, fitness, suitability and security requirements for their chosen roles.
Applicants should review the latest official recruitment guidance because requirements may differ depending on the position and service pathway.
Australian Defence Force Explains Why Recruitment Was Expanded
Group Captain Chris Ellison, director of military recruiting at Defence Force Recruiting, said the policy addressed a long-standing gap in the recruitment process.
“For many years, Defence Force Recruiting personnel have been approached by New Zealand permanent residents expressing their keen interest to serve the nation that had adopted them, but we had been unable to accept their applications,” he said.
He added that the change would allow eligible New Zealanders who had committed to living in Australia to pursue opportunities to serve in the military.
The policy subsequently extended eligibility to permanent residents from the UK, US and Canada.
The move provides a new option for qualified residents from these countries who are interested in military careers but have not yet obtained Australian citizenship.
Why Australia Is Expanding Military Recruitment
The Australian Government said the policy was part of broader efforts to strengthen the country’s military workforce and address recruitment challenges.
Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh said expanding the recruitment pool would help the government grow the Australian Defence Force.
“We’re being bold in order to grow the Australian Defence Force,” he said.
He added that recruiting from a wider pool of people would help the military draw on the skills and experiences of Australia’s diverse population.
Defence Minister Richard Marles also highlighted the strategic importance of the change, particularly its potential to strengthen ties with close allies.
He said opening recruitment to eligible New Zealand permanent residents would create more opportunities for service while reinforcing the longstanding Anzac relationship between Australia and New Zealand.
The government said the policy aligned with the National Defence Strategy’s requirement to build and retain a highly skilled defence workforce capable of responding to future security challenges.
Australia Also Plans Changes to Overseas Military Recruitment
Alongside the expanded permanent-resident pathway, the Australian Defence Force has pursued changes to its Overseas Lateral Recruitment Scheme.
The scheme allows the military to recruit experienced personnel from foreign armed forces to address specific skills and capability shortages.
Unlike the permanent-resident pathway, which creates an opportunity for eligible applicants from four countries to pursue ADF careers, overseas lateral recruitment focuses on attracting personnel who already have military experience.
Both approaches form part of Australia’s efforts to strengthen its workforce and address specialist staffing needs.
What About the Age Limit for Joining Australia’s Military?
The Australian Defence Force also sets minimum age requirements for prospective recruits.
According to the ADF Careers information cited in earlier reporting, applicants can begin submitting applications at 16 years and six months. However, recruits must generally be at least 17 years old to enlist and commence service.
These age thresholds apply across the Navy, Army and Air Force, although additional requirements may apply to particular roles.
Prospective applicants should check the current ADF Careers guidance for the age, education, medical, fitness and other requirements associated with their preferred position.
How to Check Australian Defence Force Recruitment Requirements
Eligible permanent residents interested in joining Australia’s military should begin by visiting the official ADF Careers website.
Applicants can review available roles, check the entry conditions and determine whether their residency status meets the requirements for their preferred career path.
They should also confirm that they satisfy the one-year Australian residency condition, the restriction on recent foreign military service and the citizenship eligibility requirement.
The Australian Government’s announcement is available through the Department of Defence website at
The expanded policy creates a recruitment opportunity for qualifying permanent residents from four countries, but candidates must still meet the relevant military entry requirements before they can enlist.