Australia invests over $600 million to support ADF workforce

2024 Defence Workforce Plan

These goals are part of the newly released 2024 Defence Workforce Plan, which addresses the ADF's recruitment and retention, as well as the Defence's organisational culture, wellbeing, and support to ADF members and their families.

Among the commitments outlined in the plan are:

• Extending the Continuation Bonus for eligible, permanent members at the end of their initial service obligation, who have served a minimum of four years.
• Expanding the Continuation Bonus for a second cohort of eligible, permanent members after a minimum of seven years of service, to encourage the continuation of service and career progression to middle ranks in the Defence Force.
• Increasing the Operational Reserves by an additional 1,000 personnel by 2030.
• Continuing to improve wellbeing and mental health support as well as organisational culture.

"The Defence Workforce Plan details a transformation and sets out how we will deliver the right number of people with the right skills, while continuing to shape a positive and effective work environment for our people," said Hon Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel, in a statement.

Providing funding certainty

To provide funding certainty, the government has provided a 10-year funding model for Defence, including a $5.7-billion investment over the next four years to 2027-28, and then a $50.3-billion investment over the next decade to 2033-34.

"The 2024 Workforce Plan will help ensure Defence can recruit and retain the highly specialised and skilled workforce required to meet its capability needs," Marles said.

"The Albanese Government is committed to making the necessary investments to support our current Defence workforce and grow it for the future."