How to Join

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 calendar year of Acceptance;
• be enrolled in Higher School education (minimum year 7) in the calendar year of acceptance.  So if you are turning 13, and starting high school next year, you can apply;
• not attained the age of 16 years at time of acceptance;
• 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

Note: There are no 'fitness' or 'educational' prerequisites to join as a cadet.  As above, there may be some limitaitons due to medical conditions.  Please discuss these with your CO during the application process.

Enrol as a cadet

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Find your nearest Squadron

Apply to become a Defence Approved Helper

Only persons deemed suitable by the decision maker (Wing Officer Commanding) to work with young people may be accepted as a Defence Approved Helper. Applicants must provide documentation or other information as directed by National Headquarters. To be accepted as a Defence Approved Helper, applicants must:

• be 18 years of age or older
• reside in Australia and commit to regularly attend AAFC activities, consistent with activity schedules
• not be a current member of the Australian Navy Cadets, the Australian Army Cadets, the Australian Air Force Cadets or member of a foreign military or foreign cadet organisation
• declare any previous offences and agree to civilian police (and if relevant) Service history checks as deemed applicable by the decision-maker
• satisfy mandatory checks for eligibility to work with minors in the State or Territory where the applicant is located (background checks by police and working with children checks)
• upon acceptance agree to abide by and sign the Defence Youth Safe Code of Conduct (Adult) 
• upon acceptance agree to abide by AAFC Orders, Instructions and Publications (OIP) as it relates to their involvement in AAFC activities
• upon acceptance complete youth safety training or courses as required to satisfy statutory, Defence and AAFC working with young people requirements
• (if required) be assessed as possessing the physical, medical, aptitude and social qualities to fulfil their role in the AAFC and to work with young people
• hold and maintain any qualifications and experience applicable to the duties the person may undertake including first aid qualifications if assisting in the supervision of cadets
• be medically fit and active enough to assist in the supervision of young people and declare any known medical conditions that may affect their supervision of cadets

How to express interest in becoming a Civilian Instructor

Click here  to follow a step-by-step process of how to put your application to join the AAFC as a Civilian Instructor.

Enrol as a volunteer

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There are two streams for pilots Glider Flying and Powered Flying. 

Gliding Flying

Gliding Training School (GTS)

Air Experience Instructor (AEI) - for pilot experience flight

• Min 18 years old
• 200 launches or 50hrs gliding experience plus 100 launches (Powered Pilots may count 10% of their power flying hrs towards the minimum requirements after 10hrs or 50 glider launches).
• Glider Pilot Certificate (GPC)
• For more detail see MOSP Part 2, para 11.1.1 Requirements

Flying Instructor - for flying training

• Minimum age 18 years.
• 75 hours total gliding experience. (Powered Pilots may count 10% of their power flying hrs towards the minimum requirements after 10hrs or 50 glider launches).
• Level 1 (or higher) Instructor (note: L1 cannot authorise first solo or supervise flight operations).
• Glider Pilot Certificate (GPC). 
• For more detail see MOSP Part 2, para 11.2.1.1 Requirements

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New South Wales

GTS Flight Bathurst

Queensland

GTS Flight Warwick

South Australia

GTS Flight Balaklava

Powered Flying

Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS)

Cadet Aviation Experience Pilot (CAE) – for airborne familiarisation flight

• Current CASA Class 1 Medical Certificate
• CASA Commercial Pilot License (with current Airplane Flight Review - AFR – Single Engine Class listed)
• Successfully complete in-house Diamond DA40NG aircraft conversion training and checked out proficient for Pilot In Command.
• Annual in-house flight reviews (emergency check & can renew AFR).

Flying Instructor – for pilot experience flight & flying training

• Current CASA Class1 Medical Certificate
• CASA Commercial Pilots License (CPL)
• Flight Instructor Rating (minimum CASA Grade 3)
• Successfully complete in-house Diamond DA40NG aircraft conversion training and checked out proficient for Pilot In Command.
• In-house Standardisation & Proficiency (S&P) check, prior to flying with cadets.
• Annual in-house flight reviews (S&P, emergency check & can renew AFR).

Enrol as a pilot

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New South Wales

EFTS Flight Richmond

Queensland

EFTS Flight Amberley

Victoria

EFTS Flight Point Cook