Up to 100 Papua New Guineans will be able to join the Australian Defence Force over the next two years under a newly finalised pilot program. Applications open next month for citizens aged 18 to 25 who are students or recent graduates of major universities. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles announced the program in Port Moresby, saying it reflects the close ties between the two nations. Recruits will first serve on temporary visas and must apply for Australian citizenship once eligible.
Papua New Guinean citizens will soon be able to apply to join the Australian Defence Force under a new pilot program. Up to 100 people living in Papua New Guinea can apply from mid-November, with two cohorts of up to 50 over two years. The change followed ministerial talks in Port Moresby and comes after the Pukpuk Treaty defence alliance was signed in October 2025. Applicants must be aged 18 to 25, be students or recent graduates from selected universities, and have no current or past service in the Papua New Guinea military.
Papua New Guinean university students will be able to apply to join the Australian Defence Force from next month. The $65 million pilot program aims to recruit 100 young Papua New Guineans over two years. The first successful applicants are expected to be sworn in by late 2027. Applicants must be aged 18 to 25 and cannot have previously served in PNG's military, police or government security institutions. The announcement was made at a meeting between Australian and PNG ministers in Port Moresby, as both countries advance a military alliance that entered into force in July.
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Brisbane City Council is looking into a pilot program that would fit ten double-decker CityCat ferries with licensed bars. The idea was inspired by Sydney ferries that serve alcohol. Councillor Andrew Wines said the plan is at an early stage and that licensing and responsible service of alcohol rules would be followed. Some residents criticised the proposal, and Labor's Lucy Collier said the council had the wrong priorities. The plan comes as CityCat operator RiverCity Ferries negotiates a new pay deal with ferry staff.
The WA Government will run a six-month pilot in 10 public schools that limits screen use for kindergarten to Year 2 students from term one, 2027. Screens will only be used where needed to learn digital technology skills or prepare Year 2 students for NAPLAN testing. Participating schools will receive $50,000 for screen-free resources such as books. WA Education Minister Sabine Winton said technology must be balanced with hands-on learning. The move follows federal concern about falling education scores, with Victoria and NSW also capping classroom screen time.
The NSW government is partnering with Charlotte's Wish, BREED Australia and The Step into Action Foundation on a free mentoring and wellbeing pilot for students in Years 6 to 8. The government is investing $200,000 in the Charlotte's Wish Scholarship Program. Participants will receive 12 months of personalised support, including one-on-one mentoring, therapeutic support and family engagement, followed by a further year of connection with BREED Australia. Polling by the Office for Youth found mental health is the top issue for young people in 2026.
