Opportunities in Australia: American, British & NZ fighters, submariners, engineers & medics recruited by Australian Defence Force

As folk know, the Australian economy is booming and the country needs skilled migrants. Many Americans are looking to take their skills and families to Australia.

British and US soldiers are being recruited by the Australian Defence Force to meet a shortage of fighter pilots, submarine crews and officers, naval engineers, doctors, nurses and radiographers.

The Australian Defence Association (ADA) executive director Neil James said Australia had long relied on overseas personnel from Britain, the United States, Canada and New Zealand to bolster defence force numbers. Salary rates offered by Western Australia's mining boom, along with other lucrative industries, were partly accountable for the navy losing people with valuable technical and managerial skills. People from Commonwealth countries and the US were recruited in their place because they tended to have the necessary skills and qualifications. "Also it's quite easy for them to get an Australian security clearance," Mr James added.

A report on maintenance in Australia's navy suggests that as many as 200 engineers were needed to rebuild lost expertise, The Australian newspaper reported.

Sources:

• Channel 9: Australian Defence Skills Shortage
• BBC: Royal Navy Sailors may be recruited by Australian Navy
• Wall Street Journal: The $200,000-a-Year Mine Worker