The Australian Defense Force (ADF) is on the look out for foreign soldiers from the US, UK and several other western countries with similar training tactics.
While the ADF is dealing with long term recruitment problems, the government is also struggling to fortify its contingent of highly skilled troops in Afghanistan at the moment.
The ADF is looking to overseas candidates to fill the gaps in its services, which cannot currently be satisfied by standard recruitment. The international financial crisis and impoverished wages in the industry are working in Australia’s favour.
Overseas recruitment is targeting either serving personnel or ex-serving candidates that were employed by the army no more than three years ago.
Snipers, highly skilled and high ranking pilots, intelligence officers, maritime welfare officers, naval engineers, cryptologists, fighter pilots, as well as artillery, transport, supply, catering, infantry, signal and military police officers, as well as dentists and nurses are the most popular job openings within the ADF.
Recruits are being sourced from Germany, Canada, America, Poland, New Zealand and especially Britain, which is heavily cutting back on defense as part of the government’s economic austerity measures. Greeks and Greek Australian citizens living outside Australia are also on its list.
Australia though, has committed to the British navy not to recruit personnel needed by Britain to maintain its capability.
Applicants must apply for a permanent resident visa prior to coming to Australia. The ADF campaign is also aimed at Australian citizens or permanent citizens residing overseas with strong military experience.
“We recognise that these candidates can bring skills and attributes to the navy, army and air-force that will strengthen their overall operation and success rate,” states a spokesperson of the ADF.
The ADF has spent almost $200,000 on relocation fees in previous years. The office defends the cost of said decision, stressing it saves the country huge amounts of fees spent on many years of training.