Who we are

AAFC Vision

The Best Youth Development Program in Australia

AAFC Mission

To inspire and develop young people in an air and space environment to achieve and maximise their potential to contribute to Australia’s future success

AAFC Motto

Inspiring today, leading tomorrow

The aim of the Australian Defence Force Cadets, which includes the AAFC, is “By predominantly voluntary effort, to better equip young people for community life by fostering initiatives, leadership, discipline and loyalty through training programs which are also designed to stimulate an interest in a particular arm of the Defence Force.”

From this, the following specific aims have been developed:

• To give cadets a foundation of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) knowledge and discipline
• To develop qualities of leadership, self-reliance and initiative
• To develop character and good citizenship in the widest sense
• To develop an interest in the RAAF and aviation generally
• To instil a knowledge of aviation history, and
• To encourage cadets to continue an active interest in aviation into their adult life.

The AAFC is an inclusive youth development organisation focused on developing youth to fulfill their potential by providing training and experiences that in all cases enables our cadets to be better off because of their experiences with the AAFC. In doing so we provide a youth safe environment that is contemporary and put’s the young person’s needs and wellbeing at the forefront of all decision making. Our focus is to proactively support, guide, and encourage youth in achieving skill sets of value to them and the community.

As an adult volunteer, you are expected to embrace the AAFC Youth Development Philosophy which is guided by the Cadet Youth Development Framework. The key areas of youth development are: experiencing teamwork, leadership, belonging, and understanding the right thing to do. 

AAFC youth development seeks to build young people's sense of belonging and connection in their communities and enhances cross-generational and cross-cultural communication. The AAFC Youth Development Philosophy outlines that the AAFC is committed to the following principles in the conduct of AAFC activities: