The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will allow recruits from foreign countries, including the UK, to help grow its ranks.
Australia has been struggling with enlistment shortfalls, as it seeks to beef up its armed forces in the face of what it says are growing regional threats.
From July, New Zealand nationals who are permanent residents of Australia can apply to join, and from next year that will expand to recruits from the UK and other countries including the US and Canada.
Minister for Defence Richard Marles said the changes to eligibility requirements were “essential to meet the nation’s security challenges through the next decade and beyond”.
Australia and New Zealand already have a longstanding “Anzac bond”, he said, pointing to their history fighting side-by-side at Gallipoli in World War One.
Australia has in recent years sought to boost ties with the UK and the US, in 2021 signing the Aukus pact – a far-reaching defence and security alliance aimed at confronting Chinese military expansion in the Indo-Pacific region.
Australia, the UK, US, Canada and New Zealand also work closely together in intelligence sharing under an alliance called the Five Eyes.
