More PNG citizens able to enlist in Australian military

The announcement followed ministerial talks between the two countries in Port Moresby on Tuesday.

It was the first round of ministerial discussions since Australia and Papua New Guinea signed a landmark defence alliance known as the Pukpuk Treaty in October 2025.

Eligible permanent residents in Australia who are PNG citizens were able to join the ADF from January 2026, but the pilot program will expand eligibility to people living in PNG.

The pilot program will have two cohorts of up to 50 eligible people to join the defence force over two years.

The first lot of candidates will be able officially join the ADF from late 2027, with recruitment focused on university students in Port Moresby and Lae.

Defence Minister Richard Marles, who was in Port Moresby for the ministerial talks, said expanding recruitment eligibility for the military showed how the two countries were closely linked.

"Not only is this a huge moment for the Australian Defence Force, but also for the history of Papua New Guinea, and our bilateral relationship," he said in a statement.

"Our shared commitment to interoperability has made the recruitment of Papua New Guinean citizens into the ADF a reality."

So far, there have been 40 active applications from PNG citizens who are also permanent residents in Australia.

PNG citizens living in Papua New Guinea will still need to meet ADF eligibility criteria in order to join Australia's military.

They will also have to be between 18 and 25-years-old, be a student or recent graduate from select universities and have had no current or previous service in Papua New Guinea's military.

Recruits from Papua New Guinea will be able to serve for all three branches of the military.

Mr Marles said while the pilot program would start small, it was hoped it could be expanded in future years.

"I look forward to welcoming eligible Papua New Guineans into our defence force, and seeing them serve shoulder-to-shoulder with our people."