Australian Army Cadets
How to join
Joining as a cadet is simple.
- Make sure you meet the age requirements listed below
- Find a unit using the Find a Unit link
- Fill in the Form and send it to the unit
You may not be eligible to join a School Based Unit if you are not a student of that School, but another unit may exist nearby.
If you have any queries, contact the Unit.
What does a young person gain from Army Cadets?
The opportunity to challenge themselves and achieve goals as part of a team.
The ability to communicate clearly, to diverse audiences, through formal and informal presentations and in discussions and interviews
The ability to lead a group of people to achieve an objective. This key skill includes the ability to plan and communicate that plan, as well as being able to control, motivate and encourage a team to succeed.
The resilience to keep going, even when things go wrong.
The ability to work as a member of a team, sharing views and helping others, while being able to take instructions and orders from the team leader.
The understanding that people are not the same, and the ability to accept diversity and work with the different talents that people have.
The personal confidence to utilise key skills in different situations and with different people.
Enjoy making friends.
The minimum age for cadet membership is 12, provided the cadet will turn 13 in the calendar year of their enrolment. The maximum age for a cadet enrolment is their 17th birthday. Cadets age out of the program at the end of the calendar year of the 18th birthday.
The Australian Army does not charge any fees for youth participation in the Australian Army Cadets. Units may levy a subscription fee to cover costs associated with their unit activities that may include elements additional to the AAC’s core curriculum. Please check with your local Army Cadet Unit for more details.
The Australian Army provides uniforms and most equipment, and when you go on annual camp the Army will provide the accommodation, food and travel. Each Army Cadet Unit has its own fee structure or charges for certain activities like bivouacs.
Join a School Based Unit or Community Based Unit
The Australian Army Cadets consists of both community based units and school based units.
A School-Based Unit is an Army Cadet Unit that has been established wholly within a school, and operates wholly for students enrolled at that school.
A Community-Based Unit is an Army Cadet Unit established within a community with enrolment open to all eligible youth of the community. These units may be run from Defence facilities, community facilities and some operate from schools.
Inclusive, health and fitness
The Australian Army Cadets (AAC) is an inclusive youth development organisation.
The AAC recognises that there are many varied health conditions that affect people in the community and actively encourages the participation of young people with such conditions. As a youth development organisation, young people are encouraged and supported to manage their own health conditions.
Privacy provisions apply to all health information provided.
Parents/Care givers are primarily responsible for ensuring their child is able to manage any health condition(s) they may have.
Essential information:
- The registration process requires a declaration of any health conditions that may impact on a person’s ability to participate (participants are only accepted if Army Cadets can facilitate their involvement safely and without detriment to the other participants).
- Adjustments are made as far as reasonably practicable, to provide a level of inclusiveness for individuals with health needs (evidence of this agreement must be documented on a Health Management Plan (HMP) or an Individual Management Plan (IMP)).
- Individuals, seen as a potential risk to the safe environment of Army Cadets, undergo a medical clearance, as a condition of participation.
Standards of behaviour
Army Cadets is committed to promoting the wellbeing of youth and protecting them from unacceptable behaviours through a focus on promoting youth safe behaviour.
When participating in Army Cadets activities, all cadets are encouraged to develop an understanding of the balance between personal freedoms and choices, and the responsibilities associated with being a member of the Army Cadets.
The ADF Cadets Code of Conduct (Youth) is a component of the organisation’s approach to youth safety. It describes the behaviour standards to be observed and demonstrated by all cadets.