The Latest Breaking News from the Australian Defence Force

'Disgraceful' bid to remove defence class action claims

The defence force faces backlash as it seeks to exclude complaints of sexual violence and harassment experienced by female members overseas from a class action.

AAP · Dec 1, 2025

Deep dive probe into insidious military sexual assault

A standalone probe into systemic sexual assault and harassment within the Australian Defence Force will examine how offences are investigated and punished.

AAP · Dec 1, 2025

'Protect their own': defence culture of silence, abuse

Members of the Australian Defence Force sign up to serve their nation, but for many, their greatest threat isn't the enemy - it's their colleagues.

AAP · Nov 29, 2025

Search ends for four-year-old boy missing in South Australia’s rugged outback

Authorities found no new evidence in case of boy whose disappearance captured the nation’s attention

The Independent UK · Oct 17, 2025

Army vehicle fleet suspended after Australian soldier dies in training accident in north Queensland

Paramedics treated three military personnel at scene of single-vehicle incident near Townsville on Wednesday night

The Guardian - AU · Oct 16, 2025

Fight goes on as defence suicide reforms slowly kick in

Advocates for an inquiry into defence and veteran suicide are cautiously optimistic about the direction of reforms almost a year after findings were made.

AAP · Sep 3, 2025

‘One of the older men catcalled me’: new research reveals the RSL’s woman problem

Imagine serving your country overseas, returning home and feeling unwelcome in the very place meant to support you.

The Conversation · Aug 21, 2025

After years of backsliding, the ADF is growing again. What’s behind the recruitment uptick?

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been facing a recruitment crisis for years. A lack of young people wanting to join has prompted a variety of responses from the force, including opening eligibility to some foreigners.

The Conversation · Aug 5, 2025

'We started a fire': ADF criticised over major blaze

A "systemic failure" by the Australian Defence Force has been partly blamed for a major Black Summer blaze sparked by an army helicopter.

AAP · Jun 13, 2025

Labor’s second-term defence priorities – could they include a pact with Europe?

An apt metaphor for the Department of Defence in Labor’s second term might be the Titanic. The good ship “defence” has hit an iceberg: the senior officers are reassuring all is fine, the band is playing and the crew are busy. But the ship is gradually sinking.

The Conversation · May 20, 2025