China’s rising military challenge in the Indo-Pacific region is one of the main issues of today’s international politics. Thus, Australia needs strategic recalibration of its national defense thinking to preserve its democratic value, economic development, national security interests, etc. Australia has been effective in achieving its national security goal, namely, preserving peace and stability in a regional and global context, over the last decade. The national defense perceptions of Australia have reflected practical strategic needs based on the nation’s strategic culture and international environment analysis and calculation, and within a realistic “ends-means” connection. However,, going forward, Australia will have to constantly examine its national defense thinking, especially given the intensifying US-China strategic competition and Australia-US military coalition in the post-epidemic era.