Navy was doing that as well, we have a problem with retention. Not due to the conditions so much, they being longer periods away from family. But more so due to population size to geography (large territory requires large navy but only a small population).
However over the next decade we are bringing on line two large LHDs, two AWD and anything up to 12 subs, which are the most difficult to man. The first LHD should be delivered to the RANin May/June this year and I believe the first AWD has the hull complete. So over the next few years there will be some significant recruiting going on for the navy and we've had the prog where we recruit members from countries such as US, UK, Canada, NZ - basically the Five Eyes countries. Not sure how successful it has been but quite possible we'll see it again.