Australia's Military Is Growing — and Young People Are Signing Up

Australia's military is at its largest size in 25 years. More than 64,000 people now serve full-time in the navy, army, and air force. Over 8,100 new recruits joined this year, and the government wants to keep growing the force to 69,000 people by the early 2030s.

The Australian government says the world is more dangerous now than at any time since World War II. Countries in the Asia-Pacific region are competing over land and power. To respond, Australia is spending billions on new weapons — including long-range missiles and nuclear-powered submarines — and needs more trained people to operate them.

At a recruitment session in Parramatta, western Sydney, young people and their families heard about the many reasons to join. Some were drawn by duty and excitement. Others were more focused on practical benefits like free health care, paid university degrees, and no student debt. Sixteen-year-old Angad Sahi summed it up simply: the military puts you in a good position for the future, even after you leave.

Not everyone wants a long commitment. The army's gap year program lets young people try military life for just 12 months. Seventeen-year-old Eli Holt likes the idea of testing it out before deciding. He also believes the military offers something no technology can replace — human skill and judgment in tough situations.

Experts say a tough job market and high cost of living are pushing more young people toward the ADF. A 2025 study found that ads on TikTok and in video games, better pay, and relaxed entry rules have all helped boost sign-ups. Similar trends are happening in the US, UK, Germany, and Canada.

Despite the excitement, joining the ADF is not fast or simple. It can take nearly nine months from applying to actually starting service. The military is working to cut that time to 100 days. It has also changed its rules to let more people apply, including permanent residents from several countries and soon, students from Papua New Guinea.

The ADF has been working to improve how it treats its members, especially women. It has set a goal for women to make up 25% of the force by 2030. The rate at which people are leaving the military has also dropped to a 15-year low, thanks to better pay, housing, and working conditions.

The risk of real conflict is something recruits and their families must consider. Military historian Albert Palazzo says Australia could be drawn into a major war involving the US and China. Back at the Parramatta session, young people like Eli and Mahmood Dakkak were thinking about that risk carefully. As 21-year-old Keriyacous Magar put it, he is just a young man trying to figure out where he wants to go in the world.