The Australian government announced that non-citizens will also be recruited into the army, provided they have lived in the country for 12 months.
The Australian government has announced that it will allow non-citizens to join the armed forces after announcing a shortage of soldiers. Defense Minister Richard Marles stated that from July, permanent residents who have been living in Australia for 12 months will be allowed to serve in the army. However, it was stated that citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America will be prioritized in recruitment.
Australia is struggling to find enough personnel to meet its military needs. Despite its vast coastline, the country has a population of only 26 million and has increased defense spending to respond to rising regional tensions. The Australian Defense Force has a limited capacity of around 90,000 personnel, including reservists, while the Chinese military has an estimated two million personnel.
Defense Minister Marles stressed the importance of expanding Australia’s military to meet Australia’s security challenges and said it was essential for the country’s future security.
