Australia Allows Citizens of 4 Countries to Join Military Without Citizenship: What to Know

Australia allows eligible permanent residents from four countries to apply to join its military without first becoming Australian citizens.

The countries are New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. However, applicants must already live in Australia and meet specific residency, security and recruitment requirements.

The policy forms part of Australia’s effort to increase the number of personnel in its armed forces. The government announced the changes in June 2024, with applications opening for eligible New Zealanders in July 2024 and permanent residents from the UK, US and Canada in January 2025.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) introduced the changes to expand its recruitment pool and address workforce shortages.

Although the policy allows eligible applicants to join before obtaining Australian citizenship, it does not mean that anyone holding a passport from these four countries can enlist from abroad.

Here are five things to know about Australia’s military recruitment policy.

1. Australia names four countries whose residents can apply

The four countries are New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

Under the policy, eligible permanent residents from these countries can apply to join the Australian Defence Force without first becoming Australian citizens.

The change expanded the ADF’s recruitment options. Previously, Australian citizenship was generally required for ordinary enlistment.

The government introduced the policy in stages. Eligible New Zealand permanent residents became able to apply from July 2024. The opportunity was extended to eligible permanent residents from the UK, US and Canada from January 2025.

The policy does not automatically guarantee enlistment. Applicants must still satisfy the ADF’s entry standards and security checks.

Australia also expects successful non-citizen recruits to pursue Australian citizenship once they become eligible.

The government announced the change as part of its plan to strengthen the country’s defence workforce.

2. Applicants must already live in Australia

Having citizenship from one of the four countries is not enough to qualify.

Applicants must already have permanent residency in Australia. They must also have lived in the country for at least 12 months immediately before applying.

This requirement means the policy is not a direct recruitment route for people who live in New Zealand, Britain, the United States or Canada and want to move to Australia specifically to join its military.

Applicants must first meet Australia’s immigration requirements and obtain the necessary residency status.

They must also satisfy the other conditions for military service.

The distinction is important because the policy concerns eligible residents who already live in Australia, not every citizen of the four countries.

People interested in applying should check the current eligibility rules on the official Australian Defence Force recruitment website before making plans.

3. Applicants must pass military and security checks

Eligible permanent residents must meet the same relevant entry standards and security requirements that apply to military recruitment.

The ADF assesses applicants before accepting them into service. Meeting the residency requirement alone does not guarantee a place.

Applicants must also meet the relevant requirements for their chosen role. These can include medical, fitness, aptitude and other assessments, depending on the position.

Australia also introduced a restriction concerning recent foreign military service.

Under the announced policy, applicants must not have served in a foreign military during the two years immediately before applying.

They must also be able to obtain Australian citizenship.

These conditions allow the ADF to widen its recruitment pool while maintaining its security and service standards.

Anyone considering an application should confirm the requirements for their preferred role, as eligibility can depend on individual circumstances.

4. Successful recruits are expected to obtain Australian citizenship

The policy allows eligible permanent residents to apply for military service before becoming Australian citizens. However, citizenship remains an important part of the arrangement.

The Australian government said recruits under the policy must be able to obtain Australian citizenship.

Defence Minister Richard Marles explained in June 2024 that eligible recruits would be able to apply for citizenship after 90 days of defence service.

The government expects them to pursue citizenship when they become eligible.

This means the policy does not provide a permanent exemption from citizenship requirements. Instead, it creates a route for eligible permanent residents to begin military service before completing the citizenship process.

Applicants should confirm the current citizenship rules and the obligations attached to enlistment before accepting an offer.

They should also understand that military service involves commitments beyond obtaining residency or citizenship.

5. Australia changed the rules to address military staffing needs

Australia announced the policy as part of efforts to strengthen its defence workforce.

The government said the Australian Defence Force needed to recruit, retain and develop more personnel to meet the country’s security needs.

Opening recruitment to eligible permanent residents gives the military access to a wider pool of people already living in Australia.

The policy also reflects Australia’s close defence relationships with New Zealand, the UK, the US and Canada.

However, the government has not removed the normal recruitment and security requirements. Applicants must still qualify for service and satisfy the conditions attached to the policy.

For people who meet the requirements, the change offers an opportunity to pursue a military career without first completing the usual citizenship process.

Those interested should consult official ADF guidance for the latest information on eligibility, available roles and application procedures.

Australia’s policy therefore creates a limited route into military service for eligible non-citizens. It does not mean that all foreign nationals can join, or that applicants can enlist without meeting the country’s residency and security requirements.