When Does Military Expertise Expire? Parliament Considers Bill to Protect Defence Secrets

‘There will be different timeframes for different types of job families that we have the exemptions for,’ said a Defence Department official.

Soldiers from 1 RAR (Royal Australian Regiment) participate in a platoon live fire attack in Townsville, Australia, on Aug. 24, 2020. Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

The exemption timeframe for Australian defence personnel who intend to work for a foreign entity could vary depending on the type of job and knowledge they possess during their military service, according to the Defence Department.

During a Senate Committee hearing on Feb. 22, representatives from the Defence Department provided details about how long former defence personnel need to wait after retiring to obtain authorisation to work for an overseas employer under the military secrets bill.