A new bid to improve diversity in the Australian Defence Force will target potential recruits from the country’s Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Indigenous communities.
Defence Minister Marise Payne and Defence Personnel Minister Dan Tehan launched the latest diversity push as part of efforts to ensure the ADF reflects the wider Australian community.
A new The ADF Surprised Us recruitment campaign seeks to widen the potential talent pool for Defence recruitment and features culturally diverse serving members share their stories, including about service in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics related roles.
It includes case studies of serving members from diverse backgrounds who have become Australian citizens, answers frequently asked questions about life after enlisting and seeks to dispel misperceptions about life in the ADF.
Already more than 30 per cent of the ADF’s existing culturally and linguistically diverse workforce are employed in STEM roles.
In 2015, about 5.7 per cent of the ADF’s 57,000-strong permanent force identified as coming from a non-English speaking background, while about 5.4 percent were born overseas in countries other than New Zealand, Britain, Canada and the US.
Defence Force data from 2015-16 showed the percentage of recruits from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds improved among permanent ADF members, from 1.5 per cent to 1.8 per cent, and from 1.2 per cent to 1.7 per cent in public service roles.
The participation of people with a disability improved from 3.3 per cent to 3.5 per cent while participation rates improved slightly for women in the ADF, rising from 15.3 per cent to 15.5 per cent in the period, and from 40.6 per cent to 41.2 per cent for public service roles.
Senator Payne said the latest campaign would help reach untapped potential.
“Defence’s greatest asset is its people. To create the strongest Defence organisation possible we must attract and retain the best talent Australia has to offer,” she said.
“The ADF should reflect the diverse society that is Australia today.
“A diverse workforce provides a greater range of ideas and insights to challenge accepted norms and will help strengthen our capability and our operational effectiveness.”
Mr Tehan said Defence needed more Australians to bring skills in information technology, engineering as well as natural and physical sciences.
“ADF members enjoy opportunities in an inclusive environment where culture is recognised and respected. ADF members have the chance to lead and be part of a team where they can grow and develop,” he said.
“The members featured in the campaign, share the leap of faith it took for them to join the ADF. The campaign also sends a message to Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds that the ADF offers a promising future.”