Australia expands military recruitment to Papua New Guineans

As part of the Pukpuk Treaty defense alliance signed in October 2025, the Australian government has announced a pilot program allowing eligible Papua New Guinean citizens to apply for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The program will begin in mid-November 2026, targeting up to 100 citizens living in Papua New Guinea across two cohorts of 50 people. Recruitment will focus on university students and recent graduates in Port Moresby and Lae. To be eligible, applicants must be between 18 and 25 years old, meet all standard ADF entry requirements regarding health, fitness, and aptitude, and have no prior service in the Papua New Guinea military.

While Papua New Guinean permanent residents in Australia have been eligible to join since January 2026, this new initiative expands access to those residing within Papua New Guinea. Successful recruits will be required to apply for Australian citizenship once they become eligible, as citizenship is a prerequisite for ongoing service in the ADF.