Who we are
AAFC Vision
To be an exemplar Australian Youth Development organisation
AAFC Mission
To inspire and develop young Australians, with a focus on air, space and cybersecurity environments, enabling them to achieve their full potential and contribute to Australia’s future success.
AAFC Motto
Inspiring today, leading tomorrow
Commanders Intent
Purpose
To provide Australian Youth with inspirational and developmental learning opportunities within a safety focused, Air Force-like setting, across the air, space and cyber domains while building resilience, leadership skills and a contemporary knowledge of areas not covered in the normal education system.
Method
Inspire and motivate cadets with Air Force-like experiences
Provide experiences, including overnight opportunities, at ADF bases, and other identified locations
Provide a safety conscious, risk managed, minimised SFARP activities
Provide a system to enable adults to deliver a safe, efficient and effective program
AF provides and manages resources to enable CP, AP and other activities.
End State
A modern Air Force-like youth development organisation that inspires and motivates young Australians.
Youth Development Philosophy
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:
Strategic Plan 2030
We are pleased to introduce the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) Strategic Plan 2030, which succeeds the AAFC Strategic Plan 2020-2025.
The Royal Australian Air Force remains the primary sponsor of the AAFC. It is therefore essential that the AAFC continues to demonstrate relevance and value to the Australian community, to the Royal Australian Air Force, and to Defence, by remaining contemporary, sustainable, and aligned with the Defence organisation.
The AAFC must continue to show that it is not only a modern youth development program, but also a highly efficient and flexible one that delivers exceptional value to the nation. Success will be measured by the ability of the AAFC to remain resilient, resourceful, and relevant. This Strategic Plan will position the AAFC to continue to offer meaningful experiences for youth in Australia, whilst also enabling the organisation as a valued contributor to the Royal Australian Air Force, Defence, and the broader Australian community. The integrated National Headquarters will lead the delivery of this Strategic Plan, but the success of the plan will depend on all levels of the AAFC embracing and championing its outcomes.
The AAFC Strategic Plan 2030 presents an actionable strategy across eight Lines of Effort (LOE), agreed between the AAFC Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) and Cadet Branch – Air Force, and endorsed by Deputy Chief of Air Force (DCAF). The tasks, initiatives, and projects articulated by this Strategic Plan are intended to strengthen the cadet experience, whilst also supporting our people.
Over the next five years, the organisation’s priorities include upgrading CadetNet with Microsoft 365 to deliver a connected, user-friendly IT network that reduces the administrative burden for our people. Additionally a new AAFC Planning Guide, aligned with the outcomes of the AAFC Structural Review, to simplify processes, will provide clarity for local leadership, and align the AAFC activity program with available resources. These actions will ensure cadets have access to high-quality opportunities while safeguarding the wellbeing of our people. The AAFC will also implement robust reporting systems that support effective decision-making, transparency, and prioritised resourcing.
Central to these initiatives is the recognition that our people are the key capability and operational centre of gravity (COG) of the AAFC. By streamlining the manner in which the AAFC undertakes activities and manages resources, the AAFC will reduce unnecessary pressures while protecting the resilience and wellbeing of our people to secure the long-term sustainability of the AAFC experience.
We commend this Strategic Plan to you and trust it serves as a catalyst to usher in the next exciting era for the AAFC, and most importantly, for the cadets themselves.
