New Cadet Units

Cadet Units are run by Officers or Instructors of Cadets who are volunteers. Units are located in schools, communities and on ADF facilities.  With cooperation and support from the local community, ADF Cadets provides young people an opportunity to participate in adventurous activities that encourage teamwork, leadership and self-respect.

Officers or Instructors of Cadets and Cadets are drawn from a diverse range of unique backgrounds and experiences. All are committed to providing and enjoying a positive and safe youth development experience, respecting the value and dignity of all people and recognising the particular rights and needs of young people.

ADF Cadets aims to be inclusive of all young people and staff, including those with disabilities, health conditions and allergies. All reasonable steps will be taken to include any young person whose individual circumstances may necessitate special consideration in Cadet Unit activities, providing such steps do not jeopardise the safety or Cadet experience of others.

Once certain age, citizenship, medical management and parental support requirements are met, all young people will have the opportunity to join one of three Cadet Forces: Australian Navy Cadets, Australian Army Cadets or Australian Air Force Cadets.

To find out more about the Navy, Army and Air Force Cadets, click on ‘Choosing the right Cadet Organisation for your school or community’.*

Follow the four steps to learn more about creating a new Cadet unit in your community.

What is it, how does it work?

Over its 140 year history the ADF Cadets has evolved from a school based scheme to a genuine Defence-community partnership, where Defence works with local communities and schools to provide a first class youth development program for young people all over Australia.

The success of the modern ADF Cadet program is largely built on community participation. Cadets and the adult volunteers who run the Cadet Units are recruited locally and rely on the support of parents, teachers, community leaders and groups such as the RSL and local government. Positioning Cadet Units in local communities and schools means that they become part of that community to the benefit of both. The 461 Cadet Units in Australia are located in schools, community halls, airfields, boat clubs and council buildings as well as in Defence facilities.

What the Community Provides

The three Cadet Forces differ slightly in their expectations, so please go to the specific Cadet Force website for detailed information. However, broadly speaking, communities and schools will be expected to provide the following:

• provide a written proposal,
• identify a potential facility for the Cadet Unit,
• identify potential adult staff,
• identify potential Cadets, and 
• demonstrate community support.
• Every Cadet Unit has its own way of raising additional funds to help support certain activities. Please consult the individual Cadet Forces for their respective policies regarding supplementary funding.

What Defence Provides

In return, Defence and the respective Cadet Force will be expected to provide:

• a development program,
• uniforms and some equipment,
• an annual camp, 
• training and professional development for adult staff,
• Cadet Forces Allowance for adult staff, 
• policy guidance, 
• a safe and secure environment, and
• a Defence experience.

The three Cadet Forces are collectively know as the Australia Defence Force Cadets (ADF Cadets) and consist of the Australian Navy Cadets, The Australian Army Cadets and the Australian Air Force Cadets. Select one of the following links:

•  To find our more information about the Australian Navy Cadets (ANC) 
•  To find our more information about the Australian Army Cadets (AAC) 
•  To find our more information about the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) 

Currently, there are over 460 Cadet Units in every State and Territory of Australia.

The ADF Cadets is a highly sought after youth development program that offers resources and support to the benefit of schools and communities throughout Australia.

Defence personnel and resources are limited, and applicants need to be aware that their submissions are carefully judged on the ability to help successfully establish and provide on-going support for a new Cadet Unit.

In preparing your application you should prepare some background materiel. At a minimum you should be able to answer the following questions.

• Where would you prefer to locate to the Cadet Unit: in a school, council hall, airport or on a Defence facility?
• Are there sufficient adult volunteers to staff the Unit? A minimum number of three adults is thought to be a good number.
• Is there community/school support for the proposed Cadet Unit?
• Are there sufficient numbers of young people interested in joining Cadets? Twenty to thirty young people is a good starting number.
• As the three Cadet Forces differ slightly in their expectations please go to the specific Cadet Force for further information.

You now have the basic information on what the ADF Cadets is about, and what Defence requires from you to set up a Unit. If you have decided on what type of Cadet Unit would suit your proposal please contact the relevant Cadet Force for more information

• Contact the Australian Navy Cadets (ANC)
• Contact the Australian Army Cadets (AAC)
• Contact the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC)