# US rules block transgender and non-binary Australians from submarine training

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/gender-diverse-australian-sailors-barred-from-us-submarines-despite-aukus-deal-documents-reveal/
- Published: 2026-11-15T14:00:19+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-15T14:34:05+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/nov/16/gender-diverse-australian-sailors-barred-from-us-submarines-despite-aukus-deal-documents-reveal-ntwnfb
- Topics: Americas, Software, Technology, World

## Key points

- US rules bar gender-diverse Australians from the submarine training pathway.
- The ADF is considering alternative career routes, including UK training.
- Australia plans to buy three Virginia-class submarines from 2032.

## Summary

Australian defence documents show transgender and non-binary sailors and applicants cannot currently begin training for Australia’s future nuclear submarine programme because they must follow US policies while training in the United States. The restriction applies despite the Australian Defence Force’s own inclusion policies, raising questions about how the AUKUS partnership will affect equal access to naval careers.

Hundreds of Australian personnel train on US submarines and at US bases, where US rules apply. Rear Admiral Tish van Stralen said the navy was exploring other career paths, including possible training in the UK. Australia plans to buy three US Virginia-class submarines from 2032; each is expected to require 135 crew, making recruitment a significant challenge.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.