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Our history

Our legacy began in 1866, predating both Federation and the establishment of the Australian Army. The first formal unit was raised at St Mark’s Collegiate School in New South Wales, later becoming the historic King's School Cadet Corps in 1869.

Our history

The First Unit Raised1866

Australia's first formal cadet unit was established at St Mark's Collegiate School, NSW. By 1869, this became the King's School Cadet Corps.

Federation & Nationalisation1901 – 1906

After Federation, defence became a Commonwealth responsibility. The Commonwealth Cadet Corps formed in 1906, creating a national training framework.

Universal Training Scheme1911 – 1929

The Defence Act (1909) introduced compulsory training. This was suspended in 1929 during the Great Depression, moving to a voluntary system.

World War II Growth1939 – 1945

War-time focus grew the movement by 57%. By 1944, uniforms were reauthorised at public expense to support rising numbers.

Tradition & Rebirth1970 – 1976

  • 1970: HRH Prince Philip presented the Duke of Edinburgh Banner.
  • 1976: Program reinstated, officially welcoming female cadets for the first time.

The Modern AAC2001 – Present

The title "Australian Army Cadets" (AAC) was adopted in 2001. Today, the program supports over 18,000 cadets across 250 units.

Detailed Historical Context

The Australian Army Cadets reflects the values, customs, and traditions of the Australian Army while operating as a partnership with the wider community. This journey began long before Federation, with military drill appearing in schools as early as 1834.

By 1910, the Universal Training Scheme mandated service for fit males aged 14 to 18. Following the end of the First World War, funding declined sharply, and the mandatory provisions were eventually suspended in 1929. During WWII, the Army reinvested in the program, reauthorising public funding for uniforms by 1944.

The post-war era saw the adoption of the 'Australian Cadet Corps' title in 1951. Following a brief disbandment in 1975, the program was reinstated with a shift away from "war-like" training toward adventure-based youth development and community inclusivity.

Today, as part of the Australian Defence Force Cadets (ADFC), the AAC continues to build leadership and resilience through structured training and elective opportunities.

Reference for this content: The Torch and the Sword by Craig AJ Stockings