Defence bosses are promising new employment perks as the Australian military struggles to overcome "significant challenges" to meet ambitious recruitment and retention targets.
In a recent letter to ADF personnel and department staff, the Defence secretary and the Chief of the Defence Force acknowledge the need to do more to "remain competitive", particularly given the "pace of change in our strategic and domestic environments".
Earlier this year the former Morrison government unveiled a $38 billion plan to boost the ADF by 18,500 uniformed personnel by 2040 to respond to growing regional threats.
However, concern is growing inside Defence over the ability to meet the target.
"Defence is facing significant challenges to recruit, retain and grow its workforce," General Angus Campbell and Defence secretary Greg Moriarty wrote to colleagues earlier this month.
"To attract and retain the workforce needed to deliver our mission, we need to remain competitive.
"The pace of change in our strategic and domestic environments, as well as feedback from you in the workplace, makes it clear we need to do more.
"We understand the need to take action immediately, to ease the pressure on our workforce, and as such, six initiatives will be implemented as soon as possible."
The six initial initiatives outlined by Defence bosses are:
- expanding the Defence Assisted Study Scheme and Study Bank programs
- doubling and expanding the ADF Family Health Benefit payment
- increasing the allocation of Remote Locality Leave Travel by one trip each year
- revising the ADF Higher Duties Allowance Policy to adequately compensate members
- easing access to budgeted travel allowances
- developing a clear Employee Value Proposition framework
In a statement to the ABC, the Defence Department said it was "implementing the six initiatives as soon as practicable".
"The six initiatives for immediate action are only the beginning of efforts to improve recruitment and retention," a Defence spokesperson said.
"Defence is considering many ways it can modernise and reflect contemporary practices within its diverse workforces, including through pay and conditions, education, and ways of working."
An Incoming Government Brief prepared by the Defence Department for Labor after its May election win warned the ADF was "not a competitive employer".
"When competing for a limited pool of experienced staff, we often lose out," the document released last month under Freedom of Information noted.
"These workforce shortages are being felt more directly in key workforce segments across the enterprise such as engineering, intelligence, communications and cyber."
