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History

Cadets have been in existence in Australia for over 100 years. The first unit was established in Australia in 1866, at St Mark's Collegiate School, NSW. This unit subsequently became the King's School Cadet Corps in 1869.

Cadets remained under State auspices until 1906 when the Commonwealth Cadet Corps was established. Conscription for part time home service, including service by cadets, was introduced in 1909 and, under the Defence Act of 1903, the Corps was included in the provisions for Universal Military Training. Conscription for part-time service was abandoned in 1929.

Following the suspension of Universal Military Training in 1929, cadets were divided into two categories for the purposes of organisation and training:

• Regimental detachments affiliated with units of the Militia forces.
• Detachments that were generally school-based and not affiliated with Militia units. (School-based units did not receive Army assistance).

In 1939 Permanent Army staff were withdrawn from the Militia and Regimental detachments were abandoned. School based units continued to function but with difficulties caused by staff and equipment shortages. In 1941 cadet units began to receive more Army support and in 1944 the provision of uniforms at public expense was authorised. Conditions of service improved and equipment became more plentiful. By May 1946 cadet activities were paid for by the Army.

Affiliations between cadet units and Citizen Military Forces were developed during the period 1949-51. At that time the title of 'Australian Cadet Corps' (ACC) was officially adopted. Cadet Brigades with Regular army staff were established and remained in operation until the mid seventies when the Cadet Corps was disbanded by the Whitlam Government. The Corps was reinstated in 1976 but with a number of changes. Community based, rather than school based units were encouraged, war-like training was not to be conducted and an annual camp was to be provided at no cost to the cadet.

In 1984 school based units were given the opportunity to apply for 'full support' status and become community based units. Cadet units that remained school-based became 'Limited Supported Units' and received very little, if any, Army support.

In 1993, the title of 'Australian Army Cadet Corps' was approved with the short title remaining 'ACC'. In 1998 'Limited Support Units' were accorded 'full support' status.

In 2001 the title of Australian Army Cadets was approved with the short title of AAC.

To this day all units of the AAC are entitled to receive full support from Army. 'Full support' entails the supply of uniforms and equipment, an annual camp, transport to and from annual camp and training for the supervisory adults (Officers and Instructors of Cadets). ​