What Australian Air Force Cadets does

The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) is a government-funded youth development organisation operating under the Royal Australian Air Force as part of the Australian Defence Force Cadets programme. Established in February 1941 (originally as the Air Training Corps) and headquartered in Canberra, the AAFC serves approximately 9,500+ youth cadets aged 12–18 alongside 1,200 adult volunteers organised across 144 squadrons in eight regional Wings covering every Australian state and territory. Cadets participate in the Cadet Program's five-phase continuum (Initial through Senior) covering aviation experiences, aerospace skills (including RPAS/drone operations), field skills, drill, and service knowledge, with an inquiry-based "Reaching New Heights" curriculum refreshed under the 2024 Cadet Learning Continuum Review.

The organisation operates three Elementary Flying Training Schools (Diamond DA40NG powered aircraft at Richmond, Point Cook, Amberley) and three Gliding Training Schools (Bathurst, Warwick, Balaklava), delivering free flying experiences and training through volunteer pilots. AAFC supports additional activities including firearms training, music/bands, Duke of Edinburgh's Award participation, and annual International Air Cadet Exchanges with 20+ nations. The AAFC Foundation, chaired by AVM Kym Osley AM CSC, builds industry pathways with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Collins Aerospace, Babcock, and other partners to connect cadets to aerospace careers.

AAFC is funded primarily through Department of Defence appropriations and corporate sponsorship; no commercial revenue is generated. Squadrons operate on a community-led, direct-to-consumer recruitment model with the annual joining window from 1 October to 31 March. The November 2025 launch of Strategic Plan 2030 ("Resilient, Relevant, Ready") and the December 2025 transition to a new Director General Cadets-AF (Air Commodore Anthony Bull) signal ongoing programmatic modernisation. Leadership comprises Commander AAFC Group Captain (AAFC) Stephen Johns (since 2022), Foundation Chairman AVM Kym Osley, and Program Director for CLCR Group Captain Andrew Layton.

Name

Australian Air Force Cadets

Legal name

Australian Air Force Cadets

Website

https://airforcecadets.gov.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1941

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

The Australian Air Force Cadets is a government-funded youth development organisation under the Royal Australian Air Force, training 9,500+ cadets aged 12–18 across 144 squadrons nationwide in aviation experiences, aerospace skills, fieldcraft, and leadership programs delivered by 1,200 adult volunteers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Training

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized Military Schools (Aviation, Naval, Cyber, Intelligence, Medical) (EDAHAOAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Academies & Leadership Schools (EDAHAOAF), Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

Keywords

• Youth development training
• Aviation cadet program
• Leadership training
• Aerospace education
• Military cadet services

Headquarters

HQ city

Canberra

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Primary funding from Air Force and Defence. AF provides and manages resources to enable Cadet Program and Adult Program activities. The organisation operates under Defence oversight with support from the Department of Defence.
2. Cadet Membership Contributions: Monetary contributions vary by squadron. There are no fitness or educational prerequisites to join. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award charges $100 per level.
3. AAFC Foundation Support: The AAFC Foundation creates pathways to aerospace careers in partnership with AAFC, connecting cadets with industry experiences. Foundation is supported by corporate sponsors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) is a government youth development organization delivering structured training programs for Australians aged 12-18 across 144 squadrons nationwide. Core offerings include aviation experiences (powered flying via Diamond DA40NG aircraft and gliding), aerospace education (including RPAS/drone training, space, and cyber), field skills (navigation, survival, fieldcraft), cadet skills (leadership, drill, service knowledge), and adult volunteer training through the Adult Learning Continuum. Programs operate under Royal Australian Air Force oversight and span 8 Wings covering all Australian states and territories.

Product overview

The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) operates as a unified youth development organization providing a comprehensive program for cadets aged 12-18. The core Cadet Program delivers structured training through squadron-level activities focused on aviation experiences (powered flying and gliding), aerospace skills (including RPAS/drone training), field skills, and military-style training. The Adult Program supports volunteer instructors through the Adult Learning Continuum Review (ALCR) and Performance and Personal Growth (PPG) Framework. Supporting infrastructure includes the Learning Hub Portal and Cadet Enterprise Application (CEA) for member access. The AAFC Foundation runs a Pathways Program connecting cadets with aerospace industry experiences, while international programs like the International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) provide overseas opportunities. Additional offerings include music/band programs, firearms training, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and extension camps during school holidays.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cadet Program
• Powered Flying Experiences
• Gliding Training School (GTS)
• Aerospace Skills Program
• Field Skills Training
• Cadet Skills Program
• International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE)
• Firearms Training Program
• Music / Band Program
• Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
• Extension Camps and Courses
• Adult Program
• AAFC Foundation and Pathways Program
• SET-C (Specialist Engagement Team - Cadets)

Quantifiable outcome

• All cadets afforded opportunity for aviation experience including powered flying and gliding
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Duke of Edinburgh's International AwardmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018International youth achievement award program. AAFC participation renewed in 2018. Cadets eligible to earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards. Subsidized by Air Force at $100 per level.
• Qantas Defence ServicesmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2011Sponsored 70th Anniversary national celebrations at RAAF Williams in 2011. Provided three flying scholarships to winners of annual National Flying Competition. Ongoing support for cadet flying careers.
• International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) Member NationsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1947Exchange program begun in 1947 between Canada and UK. Now includes 20+ nations including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan. Annual 2-3 week exchanges in July/August fostering international understanding and aviation interest.
• Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary parent organization providing funding, resources, policy guidance, and support. AF provides and manages resources to enable Cadet Program and Adult Program activities. Air Force liaison officers and Defence oversight throughout operations.
• Department of DefencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal government department providing overall oversight, funding, and policy framework for AAFC as part of Defence youth programs. Operates under Defence Youth Safe Code of Conduct.
• AAFC FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished to create pathways to aerospace careers in partnership with AAFC. Creates opportunities to maximize flying and aerospace experiences, delivers experiences to regional Australia, identifies industry needs, and builds alumni connections. Chaired by AVM Kym Osley AM, CSC.
• RAAF AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAir Force association providing support and recognition for AAFC. Part of the network of supporters including RSL and other veteran organizations.
• Boeing Defence AustraliamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor of annual Boeing International Air Cadet Exchange program, providing international exchange opportunities for cadets.
• RSL (Returned and Services League)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans organization supporting AAFC through recognition programs, community engagement, and remembrance events including ANZAC Day ceremonies.
• Collins AerospaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports F35 and provides experiences for cadets through AAFC pathways program connecting youth to aerospace and Defence industry careers.
• Lockheed Martin AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor defence industry partner providing experiences to cadets at multiple sites through AAFC Foundation pathways program.
• Royal Aeronautical Society Australian DivisionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough AAFC pathways, offers experiences and connection to professional aviation society for cadet career development.
• Babcock AustralasiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefence industry partner providing limited site visits for Air Force Cadets through AAFC Foundation industry pathways program.
• MarandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefence industry partner offering experiences to Air Force Cadets through the AAFC pathways program.
• Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAviation organization providing experiences for cadets at their aviation museums through AAFC pathways program.
• BristowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAviation company providing wide range of experiences to Air Force Cadets on east and western sides of Australia through AAFC pathways.
• Honourable Company of Air PilotsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional pilot organization partner of the AAFC Foundation offering experiences and career connections for cadets.
• Queensland Air MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAviation museum providing educational experiences for cadets through AAFC pathways program.
• ADF Cadets (Navy and Army Cadets)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTri-service collaboration including joint events like Chief of Army Cadet Team Challenge, shared patron (Sir Peter Cosgrove), and combined presence at events like Avalon Air Show.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Royal Canadian Air Cadets: Canada's national air-cadet program, supported by the Canadian Armed Forces, provides aviation, leadership, citizenship, and outdoor training to youth. It is a close operating analogue to AAFC's air-focused cadet model.
• Civil Air Patrol: Civil Air Patrol is the United States Air Force auxiliary and operates a youth cadet program covering aerospace education, leadership, flying, and community service. It shares AAFC's Air Force affiliation, aviation access, and youth-development model, with a broader emergency-services mission.
• Australian Air League: The Australian Air League is a youth aviation organization teaching aviation theory, flying, and related skills to young Australians. It is a particularly close local analogue for AAFC's aviation and aerospace education mission, although it is not a Defence service.
• Australian Army Cadets: Australia's tri-service youth cadet organization delivers leadership, discipline, community, and Defence-linked activities to young people. Its national structure and youth-development remit closely match AAFC, although its training is Army- rather than aviation-focused.
• Australian Navy Cadets: Australian Navy Cadets is a national youth-development program operating under the Defence umbrella and serving adolescents through leadership, seamanship, adventure, and community activities. It is directly comparable to AAFC's volunteer-led Defence youth model, with a naval rather than aviation specialization.
• Air Training Corps (UK): The UK Air Training Corps is a Royal Air Force-sponsored youth organization offering aviation, leadership, adventurous training, and community activities. Its volunteer- and instructor-led national structure and target age group are directly comparable to AAFC.

Regional players

• New Zealand Cadet Forces: New Zealand Cadet Forces is a national youth-development and adventure-training organization with service cadet components and a Defence relationship. It is comparable in program scale and volunteer structure, but serves a different country and offers a broader tri-service model.

Emerging players

• Air Scouts: Air Scouts is a UK scouting section focused on aviation, flying, engineering, and related badges for young people. It overlaps AAFC's aerospace education and youth engagement but is embedded in a broader scouting organization rather than a Defence-sponsored cadet service.
• The Air League: The Air League is a UK charity that promotes aviation and aerospace through youth education, scholarships, and outreach. It shares AAFC's talent-pipeline mission and aviation focus, but does not operate a nationwide squadron-based cadet program.

Others

• Air Cadet League of Canada: The Air Cadet League of Canada is a nonprofit that supports the Royal Canadian Air Cadets through fundraising, scholarships, advocacy, and local squadron support. It is an adjacent enabling organization comparable to the AAFC Foundation rather than a direct program operator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/airforcecadets
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AusAirForceCadets
• Facebookfacebook.com/AustralianAirForceCadets
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/australianairforcecadets

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Australian Air Force Cadets