Australian Navy targets UK recruits

The Australian navy is planning to recruit up to 1,000 Royal Navy sailors facing redundancy under the latest defence cuts.

The Royal Australian Navy is planning to visit the UK and evaluate whether it is feasible to recruit some of the 5,000 Royal Navy personnel due to lose their jobs over the next four years. There are a number of emigration shows due to take place in the UK in the next two months, including the market leading Down Under Live shows in London, Edinburgh and Birmingham.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the Australian navy wants to speak directly to sailors facing redundancy directly to offer them “career transition options”.

A report on maintenance in Australia’s navy suggested that as many as 200 engineers are needed to rebuild lost expertise.

The paper reports the department also is looking for defence specialists, such as fighter pilots, submarine crews and officers and are offering fast-tracked Australian citizenship as an incentive.