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The Australian Army is the principal land warfare force of Australia. It is a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), which also includes the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Australian Army has fought in several major wars, including the Second Boer War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the War in Afghanistan. As of 2024, the ADF comprised 57,226 permanent and 32,560 active reserve personnel. However, other sources estimate the total military personnel for Australia in 2025 to be 89,400.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total Military Personnel | 89,400 (as of 2025) |
| Total Number of Current Serving Members | 84,865 (as of 2021) |
| Total Number of Former Serving Members | 496,276 (as of 2021) |
| Australian Defence Force (ADF) Personnel (as of June 30, 2024) | 89,786 (57,226 permanent and 32,560 active reserve) |
| ADF Personnel (as of June 2014) | 81,064 (57,036 permanent and 24,028 active reserve) |
| Indigenous Australians in ADF (as of June 30, 2020) | 3.2% of permanent personnel and 2.6% of reserves |
| Australian Army Formation | March 1901 |
| Australian Army's Major Wars | Second Boer War, World Wars I and II, Korean War, Malayan Emergency, Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation, Vietnam War, War in Afghanistan, Iraq War |
| Australian Army's Peacekeeping Operations | Under the United Nations since 1947 |
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What You'll Learn
The Australian Army is part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF)
The Australian Army is the principal land warfare force of Australia. It is a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), which also includes the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Australian Defence Force is relatively small compared to the militaries of other nations, including those in Australia's immediate region. This is partly due to Australia's small population and the military's focus on maritime strategy.
The Australian Army was formed in 1901 as the Commonwealth Military Forces, through the amalgamation of the colonial forces of Australia following the Federation of Australia. The Army has fought in several major wars, including the Second Boer War, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the War in Afghanistan. It has also been involved in peacekeeping operations and currently participates in multilateral and unilateral military exercises, as well as providing emergency disaster relief and humanitarian aid.
The Army is commanded by the Chief of Army (CA), who is subordinate to the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) who commands the ADF. As of 2024, the ADF comprised 57,226 permanent (full-time) and 32,560 active reserve (part-time) personnel. The Army is the largest service within the ADF, followed by the RAAF and RAN. The ADF also employed 19,831 civilian Australian Public Service (APS) staff as of June 30, 2024.
Australian servicemen and women receive individual training at their respective service's training institutions, such as the Royal Military College, Duntroon, for the Army. However, individual training is increasingly being provided through tri-service schools, such as the Australian Defence Force Academy, a tri-service university for officer cadets.
The Australian Army uniforms are detailed in the Australian Army Dress Manual and are grouped into nine general categories, ranging from ceremonial dress to battle dress. The slouch hat or beret are the regular service and general duties hat, while the field hat or combat helmet is used in the field during training or operations.
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ADF comprises permanent and active reserve personnel
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is made up of permanent and active reserve personnel. The ADF includes the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army, and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Australian Army is the principal land warfare force of Australia and is commanded by the Chief of Army (CA), who is subordinate to the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) who commands the ADF. The Australian Army was formed in 1901 as the Commonwealth Military Forces, through the amalgamation of the colonial forces of Australia following the Federation of Australia.
As of 30 June 2024, the ADF comprised 57,226 permanent (full-time) and 32,560 active reserve (part-time) personnel. This is a slight increase from June 2014, when the ADF had 57,036 permanent and 24,028 active reserve personnel. The ADF also employed 19,831 civilian Australian Public Service (APS) staff as of 30 June 2024. During the 2023-24 financial year, 5,297 people enlisted in the ADF on a permanent basis, while 5,422 left, resulting in a net loss of 125 people.
The ADF faces challenges due to population ageing, which may worsen its manpower situation and force the government to reallocate defence funds. Additionally, the ADF competes with private sector firms for recruits, as they can offer higher salaries. The ADF's increased activities and shortfalls in recruiting permanent personnel have led to reservists being called to active service more frequently.
The Australian Army has a history of involvement in major wars, including the Second Boer War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and more recently, the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War. Since 1947, the Australian Army has participated in peacekeeping operations and continues to engage in multilateral and unilateral military exercises, providing emergency disaster relief and humanitarian aid.
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ADF has a small manpower compared to other national militaries
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is small compared to many other national militaries. As of 30 June 2024, the ADF comprised 57,226 permanent (full-time) and 32,560 active reserve (part-time) personnel, for a total of 89,786. This is a relatively small number when compared to the military forces of other nations. For example, the Australian military has always been relatively small outside of major wars, such as World War II, when Australian territory came under direct attack.
The size of the ADF can be attributed to Australia's relatively small population and the military's focus on a maritime strategy centred around the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) rather than a manpower-intensive army. The ADF also faces challenges in recruiting permanent personnel, with an ageing population, fewer young Australians considering joining the military, and competition from private sector firms offering higher salaries.
Despite its size, the ADF has a well-structured and capable military force. The ADF includes the Australian Army, which is the principal land warfare force, as well as the RAN and the RAAF. The ADF also has a reserve component, including the Royal Australian Naval Reserve, Australian Army Reserve, and Royal Australian Air Force Reserve. The Army Reserve is organised into permanent combat and support units, but they are often manned below their authorised strengths.
To address manpower shortfalls, the ADF has increasingly relied on reservists for active service, including large-scale domestic deployments such as providing security for major events and responding to natural disasters. The ADF also aims to increase the representation of Indigenous Australians, who made up 3.2% of permanent personnel and 2.6% of reserves in 2020, with a target of 5% representation by 2025.
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ADF has increased reservist call-ups since 1999
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has increased reservist call-ups since 1999 due to increased activities and shortfalls in recruiting permanent personnel. The ADF's deployment to East Timor in 1999 highlighted the need for a capable Army Reserve that could provide additional support to the Regular Army during heavy operational commitments. This realisation led to legislative changes in 2000, allowing the call-up of reservists to full-time service in circumstances short of a full-scale defence emergency, thus enhancing the ADF's ability to conduct overseas operations.
Since then, an increasing number of reservists have been deployed overseas and have undertaken full-time service in Australia to maintain capabilities within regular units heavily committed to deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, East Timor, and the Solomon Islands. The ADF's recent long conflict in Afghanistan, which lasted nearly two decades, further emphasised the importance of reservists, with around 18% of all ADF personnel deployed to operations between 1999 and 2016 being reservists.
The Australian Army Reserve has been crucial in providing specialist capabilities and relieving pressure on the Regular Army. For example, during the East Timor deployment, only 100 reservists were initially available, mostly serving in specialist roles. In contrast, during the second rotation in April 2000, 630 reservists volunteered for full-time service, demonstrating the willingness of reservists to contribute when needed.
The ADF has recognised the potential of its reservists, and there has been a move towards developing a more capable reserve force. This includes utilising reservists in formed units during operations and integrating them with regular forces to enhance the ADF's overall capabilities. The ADF's experiences have shaped defence policies and strategies, with a focus on improving the readiness and equipment of ADF units and increasing defence expenditure to better prepare for future deployments.
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ADF's manpower may reduce due to population ageing
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is facing a potential decline in manpower due to various factors, including population ageing and increasing competition for skilled individuals. As of June 30, 2024, the ADF had 57,226 permanent and 32,560 active reserve personnel, with a net loss of 125 people compared to the previous year. The Australian Army, the principal land warfare force, is the largest service within the ADF.
Population ageing in Australia is expected to result in slower economic growth and increased government expenditure on pensions, healthcare, and social benefits programs. This may impact the ADF's manpower situation as the government may need to reallocate the defence budget to address the needs of an ageing population. Additionally, the ADF already faces challenges in recruiting and retaining personnel, particularly in a highly competitive labour market with record-low unemployment rates.
The ADF has struggled to meet its recruiting targets, and the ageing population may further reduce the pool of potential recruits. Young Australians are less inclined to join the military, and the ADF competes with private sector firms that can offer higher salaries for skilled individuals. Additionally, the ADF's increased activities and shortfalls in recruiting permanent personnel have led to a more frequent call-up of reservists, which may not be a sustainable long-term solution.
To mitigate the potential decline in manpower, the ADF can focus on retention strategies and consider options for encouraging older workers to remain in the workforce. Gradual or phased-in retirement schemes can help reduce pension expenditures and provide valuable skills and experience to the ADF. Additionally, the ADF can focus on developing the skills required for new capabilities, such as training nuclear-qualified submariners and attracting cyber experts.
In summary, the ADF faces a potential manpower reduction due to population ageing and other factors. To address this challenge, the ADF should focus on retention, explore gradual retirement options, and develop the skills needed for new defence capabilities. These strategies can help ensure the ADF maintains its operational readiness and effectiveness despite demographic and economic shifts.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 30 June 2024, there were 57,226 permanent (full-time) personnel and 32,560 active reserve (part-time) personnel in the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The ADF includes the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army, and the Royal Australian Air Force.
The ADF is small compared to many other national militaries. The size of the force is a result of Australia's relatively small population and the military being structured around a maritime strategy focused on the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force rather than a manpower-intensive army.
On 30 June 2020, 3.2% of ADF permanent personnel and 2.6% of Reserves were Indigenous Australians. By 2025, the Defence Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2022 aims to increase the number of Indigenous Australians the ADF recruits and improve retention rates, setting a target of 5% Indigenous representation.
