Cadets

Enrol as a cadet

If you are interested in joining the AAFC, please contact your local Squadron (Click here to find a Squadron) for details about their enrolment procedures. You will receive application forms and an overview of what is expected of you.

What will I do and what will I learn?

As a cadet, you’ll be offered inspiring and challenging military-like experiences. You will learn valuable life and work skills that may open up new possibilities, opportunities and career options.

As a cadet you will:

Be part of a team and gain team building skills
Develop leadership and survival skills
Make new friends and have fun
Experience challenges
Learn to take responsibility
Take part in physical education activities.

As a cadet you’ll learn about:

Aviation
Leadership
Self-discipline
Safe weapons handling
Fieldcraft
First aid
Drill and ceremonial
Communications and navigation skills
Band activities.

Learn about aviation through flying, gliding, aerospace studies, communications and navigation, air traffic control, aeromodelling, aircraft engineering, orienteering and map reading.

Most Squadrons meet weekly (during school terms) for about three hours in an evening.

Squadrons also conduct training on weekends throughout the year.

During school holidays, you can be involved in bivouacs and other specialist courses conducted at Air Force bases.

How do I get promoted?

All new cadets are recruits and have the opportunity to be promoted through the ranks after they successfully complete each training stage. Cadets are then required to attend specific training courses for each rank above Leading Cadet.

Cadets have the following promotion pattern:

Cadet (CDT)
Leading Cadet (LCDT)
Cadet Corporal (CCPL)
Cadet Sergeant (CSGT)
Cadet Flight Sergeant (CFSGT)
Cadet Warrant Officer (CWOFF)
Cadet Under Officer (CUO)

What about uniforms, equipment and contributions?

Becoming a cadet means you can try challenging and amazing activities that are partly paid for by the Australian Government through the AAFC.

Although you can leave at any point, we encourage newcomers to recognise the financial investment being made in them, and commit to remaining a cadet for a reasonable amount of time.

The AAFC provides uniforms and most equipment. On camps, most equipment is provided by Defence, however you may need to provide additional gear such as a sleeping bag . All uniforms and equipment must be returned on leaving the AAFC.

Squadrons generally ask for a weekly or annual subscription to help with running expenses. For most bivouacs and courses, you are asked for a small contribution to help cover expenses not met by Defence.

Requirements to become a cadet

The following conditions must be met before you can be enrolled as a cadet:

be at least 12 years of age and turning 13 or older in the year of Acceptance;
be enrolled in Higher School education (minimum year 7) in the year of acceptance;
not attained the age of 16 years;
have parental or guardian permission to volunteer as a Cadet in the AAFC;
be a person ordinarily resident in Australia;
present to their Commanding Officer (CO) a statement signed by their parent or guardian stating the applicant has the physical capability to participate in AAFC program and identify any known limitations (including allergies) to assist the CO determine suitability for acceptance.If required by the CO, the candidate must undergo a medical examination at parent/guardian expense;
provide written parental or guardian permission for a qualified medical practitioner to anaesthetise and operate on the cadet in an emergency;
not be a member of either the Australian Navy Cadets (ANC) or the Australian Army Cadets (AAC), unless such membership is compulsory;
not be a Defence member; and
make a commitment in writing that they have read and agree to abide by the ADFC Youth Values and Code of Conduct Statement

Listen to the AAFC cadet recruitment radio announcement!

AAFC cadet recruitment radio announcement