Defence Force to enlist non citizens
As one of the Albanese Government's initiatives to grow the Australian Defence Force (ADF), New Zealanders who are living in Australia will be able to apply to join the ADF.
From July 2024, Defence is expanding the eligibility criteria to enable permanent residents who have been living in Australia for 12 months to join the ADF. Additionally, from January 2025, eligible permanent residents from the United Kingdom, United States and Canada will also be able to apply to join the ADF.
As well as meeting ADF entry standards and security requirements, permanent residents wishing to join the ADF must have lived in Australia for at least one year immediately prior to applying, not have served in a foreign military in the preceding two years, and be able to attain Australian citizenship.
Deputy Prime and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP said. "Australia and New Zealand have a longstanding relationship – opening the Australian Defence Force to New Zealanders living in Australia will increase opportunities whilst strengthening our ANZAC bond.
Full media release - Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Defence Personnel Matt Keogh.
Fast tracked citizenship
Since 1 July 2022 New Zealanders in Australia are considered Permanent Residents for citizenship purposes. If they have lived in Australia for 12 months they will soon be able to join the ADF and then have their citizenship fast tracked after 90 days of service. Usually, you must live in Australia for at least four years before applying for citizenship.
Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh said, "The expectation is after somebody joins once they've served 90 days they become eligible to become an Australian citizen and they would be expected to become an Australian citizen at that point."
There are caveats to that - they need to be a permanent resident for at least a year, and meet security requirements, according to Mr Keogh.