ADF hits 25-year high with $40,000 bonus scheme driving retention
A $40,000 bonus scheme saw 82 per cent of eligible ADF personnel stay for three more years, pushing strength to over 64,000.
The Australian Defence Force has reached its largest size in 25 years, with more than 64,000 full-time and permanent personnel. The Continuation Bonus offers eligible members $40,000 for three extra years of service.
An 82 per cent of eligible personnel accepted it. Of the 5,148 who accepted, 1,768 were either undecided about staying or planning to leave.
The bonus can be claimed twice at different career stages. The scheme is part of a $1 billion Albanese Government investment.
It also includes faster recruitment and expanded eligibility. Last year the ADF enlisted over 8,100 personnel, the highest intake in 16 years.
The Air Force recruited its most in 24 years.
- $40,000
- Bonus amount
- 5,148
- Personnel accepted
- 64,000+
- Total ADF strength
- $1 billion
- Government investment
Why it mattersADF numbers improve Australia's defence capability and workforce stability as regional tensions rise.
AustraliaMore Australians are joining the Defence Force, and more are choosing to stay longer, expanding military capacity for national security.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 9 d ago
