ADF to Introduce Incentive Scheme to Boost Recruitment
An incentive scheme aimed at addressing recruitment challenges in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will be rolled out next month. The two-year trial initiative is set to provide a $1,000 payment to any ADF member who successfully refers a recruit who completes 12 months of service in the permanent forces.
The scheme, according to information reported by the ABC over the weekend, will reward ADF personnel for their role in recruiting others, with payments made once the new recruit has served for a full year. This approach is borrowed from practices common in the commercial sector, where companies offer referral bonuses to employees for successfully recommending new hires. These programs are often seen as a cost-effective way to incentivize recruitment while leveraging existing networks within the workforce.
In 2023, the federal government’s Defence Strategic Review (DSR) identified the need for reforms to speed up recruitment. It recommended that the timeframe between application and enlistment be reduced significantly, advocating for the process to be completed in days rather than months. The DSR also advised a comprehensive review of the ADF Reserves by 2025 and suggested reconsidering the reintroduction of a Ready Reserve Scheme to further enhance recruitment.
A target of increasing the ADF to 80,000 uniformed personnel by 2040 was set by the previous federal government, aligning with plans to operate newly acquired military equipment. However, the Defence Force is currently operating with over 4,300 fewer personnel than its authorized strength of 62,735, according to former Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell, who addressed the issue earlier this year in Senate estimates.
While this incentive scheme aims to ease recruitment shortfalls, other innovative and sustainable recruitment methods should be explored to ensure the long-term growth and effectiveness of the ADF.
ED: I’d be interested in your opinion on this or any ideas to increase recruitment.
