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ACU to explore youth perceptions of ADF service

A frank, youth-led discussion about perceptions of military service will form part of an Australian Catholic University study into young people's understanding of the Australian Defence Force.

Addressing a shortage of research into youth perceptions of Australian military service, the ACU National Centre for Veterans and Families research project was among the recipients of almost $6 million in grants awarded under Defence’s 2025 Strategic Policy Grants Program.

The $325,556 grant will take a people-first approach to build a deeper understanding into the attitudes and orientations of 15 to 24-year-olds towards military service.

“Is a defence career perceived as a job or is it something more than that? That's the sort of conversation this project will open," ACU senior research fellow Dr Jonathan Smith said.

Defence’s social licence with youth affects its capacity to recruit and retain young people whose career needs are constantly evolving. 

As such Our Defence Force will combine large-scale surveys with participatory, youth-led roundtables to examine young people’s knowledge and beliefs about the ADF, and its perceived fit with their own characteristics, values, skills and aspirations.

It will focus on people aged 15 to 24 and include targeted segments to capture the views of women, First Nations peoples, ADF Cadets, non-citizens from Five Eyes nations residing in Australia and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

Dr Jacqueline Laughland-Booy (ACU) and Monash University Associate Professor Zareh Ghazarian will join Dr Smith on the research team.

This open and competitive grant opportunity aims to deepen public debate on topics relevant to Australia’s strategic circumstances and inform Defence’s policy decision making.

Media Contact: Damien Stannard, 0484387349, damien.stannard@acu.edu.au