Following almost two years of negotiations, a Joint Agreement on behalf of the Australian Army Cadets (AAC) and the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Australia (Duke of Ed) has been signed.
The Joint Agreement marks a significant milestone for our respective programs and signifies a new National partnership, which will see the AAC jointly facilitate participation in the Duke of Ed framework through our existing programs and training continuum.
Now that the Joint Agreement has been signed the AAC will finalise Governance arrangements and our implementation schedule in order to formally go live in Quarter two of this year.
Youth members of the AAC will have the opportunity to register and participate in the Duke of Ed framework through the AAC for a single set rate, which will cover their participation in all three Duke of Ed Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. The one-off $55.00 fee provides a saving to the participant of over $500.00 if they undertake all three levels.
In order to support the roll out of the partnership the AAC will both be appointing a National Manager as well as running an Expression of Interest calling for nominations for Regional Coordinators across the country.
This Joint Agreement is a significant opportunity which seeks to recognise the shared values between our respective organisations. Participation in the Duke of Ed Framework provides formal recognition to participants, and supports our cadets in their continued development and leadership potential.
The Duke of Ed offers Australian Army Cadets an opportunity to achieve an internationally recognised certificate by doing the things cadets love to do and reflects the shared objectives and values of service, courage, respect, integrity, and excellence. The Duke of Ed framework adds further value to the activities already being undertaken by cadets. The new partnership promotes and accredits individual achievement and personal development for Army cadets.
The cadet program offers a platform to develop resilience, teamwork, leadership and confidence in safe environments where young Australians are supported and encouraged to succeed.
The recent modernisation of Army’s cadet youth development program enables young Australians to immerse themselves in a range of STEM opportunities and Army-specific practical activities, such as flying drones, bivouacs, and annual field exercises.
More information will follow as the AAC move toward formal go live in Quarter two of this year.
Learn more about the Army cadet program and becoming a volunteer at
