15 July 2025
The Strategic Review of the Australian Defence Force Reserves identified 17 recommendations to modernise the ADF Reserve, supporting an integrated, focused force prepared to meet evolving strategic challenges.
The review recommendations aim to strengthen reserve contributions across the workforce, build capability and boost the specialist domains, including space and cyber.
Many of the recommendations will be implemented over the next 12 months.
A key recommendation is the Cyber Reserve Concept, developed to support the Defence Strategic Review’s call for enhanced resilience, workforce agility and sovereign capability in the cyber domain.
Cyber reserves will contribute specialised skills to safeguarding Australia’s critical networks, be part of a pioneering force that strengthens national resilience, and make an operational impact on Defence cyber missions.
'The Cyber Reserve Concept is developing a powerful new way for Australians to serve by bringing their skills to the frontline of national cyber defence.'
The Cyber Reserve Concept incorporates organisational design, policy frameworks and pathways for on-boarding mid-career specialists, including reservist personnel.
A flexible service model will underpin the cyber reserve workforce.
Director Cyber Reserve Concept Support Colonel John Molnar said expressions of interest and a refinement of entry processes would be issued in the coming months to support activation of the cyber reserve capability by early 2026.
“The Cyber Reserve Concept is developing a powerful new way for Australians to serve by bringing their skills to the frontline of national cyber defence,” Colonel Molnar said.
For further information about the Strategic Review of the ADF Reserves visit: Strategic Review of the Australian Defence Force Reserves | Defence
