Transgender and non-binary Australian navy recruits are explicitly barred from nuclear submarine training programs because they cannot legally serve on American vessels under United States military rules, internal defence force documents show.
Internal defence briefings obtained under freedom of information laws reveal that Australia’s participation in the Aukus security pact forces compliance with Washington’s directives, The Guardian reported.
Australia plans to acquire three Virginia-class nuclear submarines from the United States beginning in 2032. Hundreds of Australian sailors and officers currently train on US nuclear submarines and American bases to prepare for the fleet. While Australian military policy promotes equality, US policies dictate terms for personnel stationed or training abroad, according to the internal defence briefing.
US government policy is different, the internal document states. Consequently, transgender and non-binary personnel and career applicants cannot commence the nuclear-powered attack submarine training pathway.
Potential recruits for the submarine program are informed that the Australian Defence Force must respect foreign laws and national security obligations.
Rear Adm Tish van Stralen addressed the recruitment challenge at a women in defence event, noting the complex legal realities of the alliance.
“We also have an obligation, a duty of care to our people, so we do not want to put our people into any sort of harm’s way or anything that might adversely affect them,” said Rear Adm Tish van Stralen, one of the highest-ranking women in the Australian navy.
The navy plans to direct affected applicants toward alternative career paths, while noting that the United Kingdom maintains more liberal military policies. Training opportunities might emerge through British partners as the tripartite pact evolves, van Stralen told The Guardian.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the elimination of diversity initiatives across military departments and pushed to purge transgender personnel from the armed forces. Donald Trump signed an executive order in January 2025 during the first week of his second term that banned transgender service members and declared gender-diverse individuals unfit to serve.
Staffing Australia’s proposed nuclear submarine fleet presents a logistical hurdle for the Aukus agreement. Virginia-class vessels require a crew of 135 personnel, more than double the complement needed for Australia’s current diesel-electric Collins-class submarines.
Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles acknowledged the expanding workforce requirements at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.
“We just need to be training more people and that’s what we’re doing,” said Richard Marles, Australia’s defence minister, speaking at HMAS Stirling.
The Australian Department of Defence did not respond to inquiries regarding the exact number of service personnel blocked from nuclear submarine training under the directive. Meanwhile, official workforce strategies urge the military to actively recruit from underrepresented communities to meet technical demands.
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