It will now be easier for recruits to join the Special Air Service.

People would usually need to spend a number of years in Defence Force before going through the selection process for the SAS.

Director of army recruiting, Major Helen Horn, told Stuff the process could be shortened.

Recruits would be able to notify their interest in the SAS on their application form.

Candidates who survive the selection process will leave to complete basic army training before rejoining the service.

The SAS, one of the Defence Force's highest performing units, is compared to other special units around the world.

"This initiative is about allowing our recruiters to guide those people with the right talent into the right job," Horn told Stuff.