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ADF Cadets


Cadet Programs

Australian Navy Cadets

The Australian Navy Cadets (ANC) is sponsored by the Royal Australian Navy and aims to build leadership and teamwork skills in young people through adventurous and exciting learning activities in a maritime environment.

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Australian Army Cadets

The Australian Army Cadets (AAC) is a leading national youth development organisation, with the character and values of the Australian Army, founded on a strong community partnership, fostering and supporting an ongoing interest.

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Australian Air Force Cadets

The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) is administered and sponsored by the Royal Australian Air Force and aims to teach valuable life skills by developing leadership, self reliance, confidence, teamwork and communication.

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Patron of the ADF Cadets

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If you’re looking for the opportunity to do exciting things you don’t do in everyday life, then the Australian Defence Force (ADF) cadet programs are for you.

The ADF cadet programs are community-based youth development programs supporting young people from 13 to 18 years of age through activities focused on Defence traditions and values that help them thrive in a team environment, improve communication skills, and become responsible members of the local community.

As a cadet, you will learn leadership, team building and survival skills that will set you up for life.

There are around 32,000 cadets currently enrolled in the three cadet programs Australia-wide with hundreds of units in all states and territories – so there's bound to be one near you.

Find a unit: Cadetnet

Become an adult volunteer: Cadetnet Volunteer

 

Stories

Peter Cosgrove Overlooking ACT
Enhancing the ADF Cadet program
Recently named as the inaugural patron for ADF Cadets, General (retd) Sir Peter Cosgrove has met with Service Cadet organisations and ADF Cadet Headquarters in Canberra to discuss plans to enhance the program.
STEM leaders
Defence inspiring tomorrow’s aspiring Indigenous STEM leaders
Students from the Indigenous Science and Infrastructure Development School have toured of Gallipoli Barracks in order to gain insight into a potential career in the Australian Army.
Students celebrate International Women’s Day at RAAF Wagga Base
Students celebrate International Women’s Day at Royal Australian Air Force Wagga Base
Air Force Technical Experience for Young Women residential placement was held over four days at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Wagga Base.
DWEP Image
A taste of life in Defence’s Land Engineering Agency
The Defence Work Experience Program is up and running again, with three Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology students getting a taste of life in Defence’s Land Engineering Agency.
World-class Navy training
Students get the chance to experience world-class Navy training
Maritime Warfare South at HMAS Cerberus has hosted Defence work experience students for the first time, with 20 local teenagers getting to try out some of Navy's newest training facilities.
Indigenous students experience Army life
Indigenous students experience Army life
A group of Indigenous Australian youths explored life in the Army during a work experience day at 10 Force Support Battalion (10 FSB) in Bindal Country, Townsville.
Patron Of ADF Cadets Reflects On An Outstanding Year (1) (1)
Patron of ADF Cadets reflects on an outstanding year
As the year draws to an end, inaugural Patron of the ADF Cadets, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC(Mil) CVO MC (Retd) reflects and congratulates all ADF cadets, cadet staff and their families for their ongoing commitment to and one of the leading youth development programs in Australia.