Largest ADF in 25 years

More Australians are choosing to join and stay in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as the Albanese Government continues its record investments to put Defence recruitment and retention back on track. 

In the 2025-26 financial year, the ADF grew to its largest size in a quarter of a century, meaning:

• The ADF enlisted more than 8,100 personnel, the highest intake in 16 years
• The full time and permanent workforce now exceeds 64,000 personnel, making it the largest it has been in 25 years 
• The separation rate – or number of people choosing to leave the ADF – was 7.4%, down even further from last year’s 7.9%, and the lowest it has been in 15 years

Recruitment growth has been recorded across all three Services, with the Navy achieving its highest intake in 16 years, Army its highest intake in 12 years and Air Force its highest intake in 24 years.

Since 2022, the Albanese Government has invested over $1 billion to grow the Defence workforce after inheriting declining recruitment and retention rates. These investments are continuing to deliver results.   

The Continuation Bonus and its subsequent extension have been implemented, in addition to improved processes to enable faster recruitment by identifying skill gaps and addressing them quickly, improvements to Defence Benefits and Conditions of Service to help retain the skilled workforce, and a widening of eligibility criteria so that more people can join the ADF have contributed to the growth of the ADF. 

As at 1 July 2026, there are more than 61,000 permanent members of the ADF alongside more than 900 Gap Year participants and almost 1,500 full-time Reservists. Together these numbers represent an increase of more than 3,000 full time personnel since last year, taking the total ADF headcount to more than 64,000. 

Australians continue to put their hands up to serve, with Defence receiving almost 74,000 applications in the 2025-26 financial year. Navy and Air Force both recorded year-on-year growth in applications.

The ADF is on track to meet the Albanese Government’s target of 69,000 permanent Average Funded Strength by the early 2030s – a key workforce objective reaffirmed in the 2026 National Defence Strategy, which provides a credible and budgeted pathway to grow the Defence workforce. 

While more work remains, these results highlight significant progress in attracting and retaining the skilled workforce required to build the future Defence Force.

The ADF recruits to over 300 roles, available to discover online at: www.adfcareers.gov.au 

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles MP:

“Over the last year more sailors, soldiers, aviators, and cyber and space operators joined the Australian Defence Force than in the last 16 years. 

“The men and women who wear our nation’s uniform go to work every day to keep Australians safe. That is why the Albanese Government is focused on recruiting, retaining and skilling the workforce we need.

“We’ve already made significant progress, but we will continue to reform recruitment processes and retention initiatives over the long-term.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh MP:

“Our most important Defence capability is our people, who serve our nation, striving to achieve the Defence mission, every day. 

“Thanks to the Albanese Government’s interventions, the Defence workforce is growing, with more people putting their hand up to serve, and more personnel choosing to stick around for longer. 

“In 2026 a career in the ADF can mean almost anything, with more than 300 roles to choose from. It’s fantastic to see more Australians coming forward to serve in such dynamic and rewarding careers.