To Join the Australian Army Cadets you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a resident of Australia;
• Ages For Joining the AAC:- 
  • Until 30th June 2017 - must be at least 13 years of age (or 12 years of age if they would turn 13 in that calendar year);
  • From 1st July 2017 - must be at least 13 years of age (or 12 years of age if they would turn 13 in that calendar year), and must be in Year Eight (8) of school (or a higher school year) or would normally be in Year Eight (8) of school (or a higher school year) if he / she attended school;
  • From 1^st January 2018 - must be at least 13 years of age, and must be in Year Eight (8) of school (or a higher school year) or would normally be in Year Eight (8) of school (or a higher school year) if he / she attended school; and
• not have reached the age of 17 years;
• Not be a member of the Australian Navy Cadets, the Australian Air Force Cadets, or the Australian Defence Force;
• Be available to attend the majority of the activities conducted by the Army Cadet Unit that you wish to join;
•  Agree to abide by the AAC Code of Conduct;
• Complete an application form (and have it signed by your parent/s or guardian/s), and complete any other forms required by the AAC (such as emergency contact details, health declaration, etc);
• Have your application accepted by the Army Cadet Unit Officer Commanding.

If your Interested, Click Here to Join the AAC Online

You can apply to join the AAC while you are aged under 17 years. Once you have your 17th birthday, you will no longer be able to join the AAC.

Army Cadets are supplied uniforms free, on loan from the Army. Uniforms include complete summer and winter ceremonial dress and working uniforms including items such as protective clothing. These items must be returned if you leave the AAC.

The AAC has a rank system similar to the Australian Army's.

All new Army Cadets start as 'Recruits'. The general promotion pattern is: Cadet, Cadet Lance Corporal, Cadet Corporal, Cadet Sergeant, Cadet Warrant Officer Class 2, Cadet Warrant Officer Class 1, and Cadet Under Officer.

Promotion to the next higher rank is not automatic, and not every cadet will reach the higher ranks. Promotion is only given to people who demonstrate their enthusiasm to be a cadet, their ability to hold positions of higher responsibility, and their completion of any required training courses.

To join Army Cadets you must be able to meet all of the conditions stated in the section above titled “Can anyone join the AAC”. Then you should contact your local Army Cadet Unit or Click the Below Link to Join the Australian Army Cadets Online

Click Here to Join

Yes, there may be opportunities to take part in Cadet activities such as annual camps that are held interstate. Also, there may be opportunities to take part in the international exchange scheme (fees apply) where selected Cadets travel to countries such as the UK, USA, Canada and many others.

No Army Cadet is a member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Therefore, you will not be required to complete military service of any kind.

The Australian Army Cadets is administered, sponsored and supported by the Army but it is not a part of the Army.
Cadets are not members of the Army or the Australian Defence Force.  
Many ex-cadets do go on to join the Army, Navy or Air Force after finishing school but the decision to do so is made by the individual.
There is absolutely no requirement for anyone who has been a cadet to join the Defence Force unless they wish to do so.

A School-Based Unit is an Army Cadet Unit that has been established within a school, and operates as part of that school’s co-curricular activities. Other than that, there is no difference between a School-Based Unit, and any other type of Army Cadet Unit.

A sample of the Cadet Recruit Induction Package