{"id":"F1996B00904","name":"Cadet Forces Regulations 1977","slug":"cadet-forces-regulations-1977","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"repealed","isInForce":false,"actNumber":"206 of 1977","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":28962,"registerId":"commonwealth-F1996B00904-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"Repealed","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Cadet Forces Regulations 1977","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\nCadet Forces Regulations 1977\n\nStatutory Rules 1977 No. 206 as amended\n\nmade under the\n\nDefence Act 1903, the Naval Defence Act 1910 and the Air Force Act 1923\n\nThis compilation was prepared on 28 April 2007 \ntaking into account amendments up to SLI 2007 No. 93\n\nPrepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing, \nAttorney‑General’s Department, Canberra\n\nContents\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\n\n1 Name of regulations \\[see Note 1\\]\n\n2 Interpretation\n\n3 Delegation\n\n3A Application of Criminal Code\n\nPart 2 Organisation of and service in a cadet force\n\n4 Organisation of cadet forces\n\n5 Appointment of officers and instructors\n\n6 Commanding officer of a unit\n\n7 Minimum and maximum ages for cadets\n\n8 Acceptance and enrolment as a cadet\n\n9 Service of cadets\n\n10 Ranks\n\n11 Promotions\n\n13 Resignation or request for discharge\n\n14 Discharge or termination of appointment\n\n15 Wearing of uniforms\n\nPart 3 The Code of Conduct\n\n16 Members must comply with Code of Conduct\n\n17 Sanctions for breach of Code\n\nPart 4 Miscellaneous\n\n23 Intoxicating liquor not to be supplied to cadets in uniform who are under 18 years of age\n\n24 State or Territory gun licensing laws\n\n25 Procedural fairness in reviews etc\n\nSchedule 1 Ranks in the Australian Navy Cadets\n\nSchedule 2 Ranks in the Australian Army Cadets\n\nSchedule 3 Ranks in the Australian Air Force Cadets\n\nSchedule 4 The Code of Conduct\n\nNotes\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\n\n1 Name of regulations \\[see Note 1\\]\n\nThese regulations are the Cadet Forces Regulations 1977.\n\n2 Interpretation\n\nIn these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears:\n\n> cadet force means the Australian Navy Cadets, the Australian Army Cadets or the Australian Air Force Cadets.\n\n> Code means the Code of Conduct mentioned in regulation 16.\n\n> commanding officer means the commanding officer of a unit.\n\n> continuous training means a period of continuous training of not less than 48 hours duration, at a camp or course of instruction.\n\n> instructor means an instructor in a cadet force.\n\n> member means an officer, instructor or cadet in a cadet force.\n\n> officer means an officer in a cadet force.\n\n> service chief, in relation to a cadet force or a member of a cadet force, means the service chief administering that cadet force under section 62 of the Defence Act 1903, section 39 of the Naval Defence Act 1910 or section 8 of the Air Force Act 1923, as the case requires.\n\n> unit means one of the units into which a cadet force is divided by regulation 4.\n\n3 Delegation\n\n(1) A service chief mentioned in an item in Table 1 may delegate all or any of his or her powers and functions under regulations 5, 14 and 17 to a delegate mentioned in the item.\n\n```html\n

TABLE 1

DELEGATION FOR REGULATIONS 5, 14 AND 17

Item

Service Chief

Delegate

1

Chief of Navy

(a) an officer of the Navy or the Australian Navy Cadets of the rank of Lieutenant‑Commander or above

(b) an Australian Public Service employee of the Department of Defence of Executive Level 1 or above

2

Chief of Army

(a) an officer of the Army or the Australian Army Cadets of the rank of Captain or above

(b) an Australian Public Service employee of the Department of Defence of Australian Public Service 6 or above

3

Chief of Air Force

(a) an officer of the Australian Air Force or the Australian Air Force Cadets of the rank of Squadron Leader or above

(b) an Australian Public Service employee of the Department of Defence of Executive Level 1 or above

\n```\n\n(2) A service chief mentioned in an item in Table 2 may delegate all or any of his or her powers and functions under the following provisions to a delegate mentioned in the item:\n\n(a) regulation 6;\n\n(b) subregulation 8 (3);\n\n(c) subregulation 8 (4);\n\n(d) regulation 11;\n\n(e) regulation 15.\n\n```html\n

TABLE 2

DELEGATION FOR REGULATIONS 6, 11 AND 15 AND SUBREGULATIONS 8 (3) AND (4)

Item

Service Chief

Delegate

1

Chief of Navy

(a) any member of the Navy of the rank of Petty Officer or above

(b) any officer or instructor of the Australian Navy Cadets of the rank of Petty Officer or above

(c) an Australian Public Service employee of the Department of Defence of Australian Public Service 5 or above

2

Chief of Army

(a) any member of the Army of the rank of Warrant Officer Class Two or above

(b) any officer or instructor of the Australian Army Cadets of the rank of Corporal or above

(c) an Australian Public Service employee of the Department of Defence of Australian Public Service 5 or above

3

Chief of Air Force

(a) any member of the Australian Air Force of the rank of Warrant Officer or above

(b) any officer or instructor of the Australian Air Force Cadets of the rank of Warrant Officer or above

(c) an Australian Public Service employee of the Department of Defence of Australian Public Service 5 or above

\n```\n\n> Note In accordance with section 34AB of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901:\n\n> Note: Where an Act confers power on a person or body (in this section called the authority) to delegate a function or power:\n\n> Note: (a) the delegation may be made either generally or as otherwise provided by the instrument of delegation;\n\n> Note: (b) the powers that may be delegated do not include that power to delegate;\n\n> Note: (c) a function or power so delegated, when performed or exercised by the delegate, shall, for the purposes of the Act, be deemed to have been performed or exercised by the authority;\n\n> Note: (d) a delegation by the authority does not prevent the performance or exercise of a function or power by the authority.\n\n3A Application of Criminal Code\n\nChapter 2 of the Criminal Code applies to offences against these Regulations.\n\n> Note Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility.\n\nPart 2 Organisation of and service in a cadet force\n\n4 Organisation of cadet forces\n\nA cadet force is divided into units authorized by the service chief.\n\n5 Appointment of officers and instructors\n\n(1) The service chief may appoint as officers or instructors in a cadet force persons who are suitable to supervise and control the training programme for, and the activities of, cadets enrolled in a unit.\n\n(2) A person shall not be appointed an instructor unless he or she has attained the age of 18 years.\n\n(3) A person shall not be appointed an officer unless he or she has attained the age of 19 years.\n\n(4) An officer or instructor may be appointed, or reappointed, for a period specified in the instrument of appointment or reappointment.\n\n(5) A service chief must not appoint or reappoint a person as an officer or instructor under subregulation 5 (1) unless the person states, in writing, that the person:\n\n(a) has read the Code; and\n\n(b) agrees to abide by it.\n\n6 Commanding officer of a unit\n\nThe service chief may appoint an officer in a cadet force to be the commanding officer of a unit.\n\n7 Minimum and maximum ages for cadets\n\nFor a provision of an Act mentioned in an item in the table, for a purpose mentioned in the item, the age mentioned in the item is prescribed.\n\n| Item | Provision | Purpose | Age |\n| ---- | -------------------------------------------------- | ----------- | ----------------------------- |\n| 1 | paragraph 62 (5) (a) of the Defence Act 1903 | minimum age | 12 years and 6 months |\n| 2 | subsection 62 (6) of the Defence Act 1903 | maximum age | 1 day before turning 20 years |\n| 3 | paragraph 38 (5) (a) of the Naval Defence Act 1910 | minimum age | 12 years and 6 months |\n| 4 | subsection 38 (6) of the Naval Defence Act 1910 | maximum age | 1 day before turning 20 years |\n| 5 | paragraph 8 (5) (a) of the Air Force Act 1923 | minimum age | 13 years |\n| 6 | subsection 8 (6) of the Air Force Act 1923 | maximum age | 1 day before turning 20 years |\n\n8 Acceptance and enrolment as a cadet\n\n(1) A person may volunteer as a cadet by furnishing to the service chief an application in accordance with a form approved by the service chief.\n\n(2) The service chief may accept as a cadet in the cadet force a person who furnishes to him an application under subregulation (1).\n\n(3) When the service chief accepts a person as a cadet under subregulation (2), the service chief shall enrol that person as a cadet in a unit.\n\n(4) A service chief must not accept a person as a cadet under subregulation 8 (2) unless the person states, in writing, that the person:\n\n(a) has read the Code; and\n\n(b) agrees to abide by it.\n\n9 Service of cadets\n\nSubject to regulation 17, a cadet is entitled to take part in the activities of the unit in which he or she is enrolled and to attend the training provided by that unit.\n\n10 Ranks\n\n(1) The ranks in a cadet force are:\n\n(a) for the Australian Navy Cadets, as specified in Schedule 1; and\n\n(b) for the Australian Army Cadets, as specified in Schedule 2; and\n\n(c) for the Australian Air Force Cadets, as specified in Schedule 3.\n\n(2) A rank specified in Schedule 1, 2 or 3:\n\n(a) is junior to each rank specified after it in the same, or specified in a subsequent, column of that Schedule; and\n\n(b) is senior to each rank specified before it in the same, or specified in a preceding, column of that Schedule.\n\n(3) A person appointed under regulation 5 to be an officer or instructor holds, upon appointment, the rank specified in the instrument of appointment by the service chief having regard to the age and experience of the person and the vacancies in the establishment of the unit in which the person is to serve.\n\n(4) A person accepted and enrolled under regulation 8 as a cadet in a cadet force holds, upon being accepted and enrolled, the most junior rank of cadet or the rank determined by the service chief.\n\n11 Promotions\n\n(1) The service chief may promote a member of a cadet force.\n\n(2) When exercising his power under subregulation (1), the service chief must have regard to the age and length of service of the member and any recommendations concerning his or her promotion made to the service chief by the commanding officer of his or her unit or by the officer who is responsible, on behalf of the service chief, for the administration of the cadet force in the region where that unit is located.\n\n13 Resignation or request for discharge\n\n(1) A cadet may furnish to the service chief a request in writing to be discharged under subregulation 14 (1) from the cadet force to which he or she belongs.\n\n(2) An instructor or officer may resign from a cadet force by delivering to the service chief a notice of his or her intention to resign from the cadet force.\n\n(3) A resignation under subregulation (2) takes effect on the day immediately following the day on which the notice is received by the service chief or on such later day as is specified in the notice.\n\n14 Discharge or termination of appointment\n\n(1) If the service chief receives from a cadet a request in writing under subregulation 13 (1), he or she must discharge the cadet.\n\n(2) Subject to subregulation (3), a cadet may, at any time, be discharged, or the appointment of an instructor or officer may be terminated, by the service chief, for any of the following reasons:\n\n(a) that the member’s attendance at the activities and training programme of his or her unit has been unsatisfactory;\n\n(b) that the unit in which the member is enrolled or in which he or she is serving is to be or has been disbanded;\n\n(c) in the case of a cadet — if the unit in which the cadet is enrolled is located at a school, and membership is restricted to students of that school, that the cadet has ceased to attend that school;\n\n(d) that the member has breached the Code;\n\n(e) that, in the opinion of a service chief, the member is excess to the requirements of the cadet force;\n\n(f) that the member has failed to renew, or has allowed to expire, personal qualifications that the service chief has determined to be essential for his or her position;\n\n(g) that the member has failed to comply with mandatory child protection procedures:\n\n(i) in any law of a State or Territory, including any instrument made under such a law; or\n\n(ii) as directed by a service chief.\n\n(3) A member must not be discharged or have his or her appointment terminated for a reason specified in paragraph (2) (a), (d), (e), (f) or (g) unless he or she has been notified of that reason for the intended discharge or termination of appointment and been given an opportunity to contest it.\n\n(4) A member who decides to contest his or her discharge or the termination of his or her appointment must give notice of the grounds on which he or she will do so to the service chief:\n\n(a) not later than 28 days after he or she is notified of the reasons for the intended discharge or termination; or\n\n(b) within any further period that may be allowed by the service chief.\n\n15 Wearing of uniforms\n\nThe uniforms to be worn by members, and the circumstances in which members are required or permitted to wear those uniforms, shall be as determined by the service chief, and may include uniforms lawful authority for the wearing of which by members has been given under subsection 83 (3) of the Defence Act 1903.\n\nPart 3 The Code of Conduct\n\n16 Members must comply with Code of Conduct\n\nA member of a cadet force must comply with the Code of Conduct mentioned in Schedule 4.\n\n17 Sanctions for breach of Code\n\nA service chief may impose 1 or more of the following sanctions for a breach of the Code by a member:\n\n(a) formal counselling;\n\n(b) reprimand;\n\n(c) official warning;\n\n(d) reduction in rank;\n\n(e) reassignment of duties;\n\n(f) suspension of duties;\n\n(g) discharge or termination.\n\nPart 4 Miscellaneous\n\n23 Intoxicating liquor not to be supplied to cadets in uniform who are under 18 years of age\n\n(1) For the purposes of section 123AA of the Defence Act 1903 and section 44E of the Naval Defence Act 1910, the prescribed age is 18 years.\n\n(2) A person is guilty of an offence if:\n\n(a) the person sells or supplies intoxicating liquor to another person; and\n\n(b) that other person is a member of the Australian Air Force Cadets, is under 18 years, and is in uniform.\n\nPenalty: 1 penalty unit.\n\n(3) Subregulation (2) does not apply if the liquor is sold or supplied by direction of a duly qualified medical practitioner.\n\n> Note A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter mentioned in subregulation (3) (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).\n\n(4) An offence against subregulation (2) is an offence of strict liability.\n\n> Note For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.\n\n24 State or Territory gun licensing laws\n\nIt shall not be necessary for a member by reason of any law of a State or Territory to obtain or have any licence or permission to possess, use or carry a rifle or other firearm, belonging to the Commonwealth, if that possession, use or carriage is necessary for his or her participation in the activities of the cadet force of which he or she is a member.\n\n25 Procedural fairness in reviews etc\n\n(1) If, under these Regulations, a decision is made or is to be made that affects the rights of a person (person affected), the decision‑maker must make the decision having regard to the principles mentioned in subregulation (2).\n\n(2) The principles are as follows:\n\n(a) the decision‑maker must make a decision without undue delay;\n\n(b) the decision‑maker must promptly advise the person affected of relevant matters arising during the process of making the decision;\n\n(c) if the decision involves misconduct or alleged misconduct by a person affected — the decision‑maker must advise the person affected, in writing, of the following matters concerning the misconduct:\n\n(i) all details known to the decision‑maker;\n\n(ii) any finding made by the decision‑maker;\n\n(d) if the decision involves misconduct or alleged misconduct by a person affected — the decision‑maker must give a person affected the opportunity to be heard before the decision is made;\n\n(e) after a decision is made, the decision‑maker must give the affected person:\n\n(i) written notice of the decision; and\n\n(ii) written notice of the review rights available to the affected person;\n\n(f) if the person affected is a cadet who has not turned 18 — the decision‑maker must advise the cadet that the cadet must be represented by a parent or other adult person of the cadet’s choosing;\n\n(g) if the person affected is a cadet who has turned 18 — the decision‑maker must advise the cadet that the cadet is entitled to be represented by a parent or other adult person of the cadet’s choosing;\n\n(h) if, in the opinion of the decision‑maker, it appears that the matter requiring decision could be resolved by an informal dispute resolution or mediation process — the decision‑maker may take steps to facilitate that process.\n\nSchedule 1 Ranks in the Australian Navy Cadets\n\n(subregulation 10 (1))\n\n| Item | Ranks of cadets | Ranks of instructors | Ranks of officers |\n| ---- | ------------------------- | ------------------------- | --------------------------- |\n| 1 | Cadet Recruit | Seaman (ANC) | Acting Sub‑Lieutenant (ANC) |\n| 2 | Cadet Seaman | Able Seaman (ANC) | Sub‑Lieutenant (ANC) |\n| 3 | Cadet Able Seaman | Leading Seaman (ANC) | Lieutenant (ANC) |\n| 4 | Cadet Leading Seaman | Petty Officer (ANC) | Lieutenant‑Commander (ANC) |\n| 5 | Cadet Petty Officer | Chief Petty Officer (ANC) | Commander (ANC) |\n| 6 | Cadet Chief Petty Officer | Warrant Officer (ANC) | Captain (ANC) |\n| 7 | Cadet Warrant Officer | | |\n| 8 | Cadet Midshipman | | |\n\n> Note 1 The above table must be read together with regulation 10.\n\n> Note 2 In the above table (ANC) means Australian Navy Cadets.\n\nSchedule 2 Ranks in the Australian Army Cadets\n\n(subregulation 10 (1))\n\n| Item | Ranks of cadets | Ranks of instructors | Ranks of officers |\n| ---- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------ |\n| 1 | Cadet Recruit | Recruit (AAC) | Second Lieutenant (AAC) |\n| 2 | Cadet | Private (AAC) | Lieutenant (AAC) |\n| 3 | Cadet Lance Corporal | Lance Corporal (AAC) | Captain (AAC) |\n| 4 | Cadet Corporal | Corporal (AAC) | Major (AAC) |\n| 5 | Cadet Sergeant | Sergeant (AAC) | Lieutenant‑Colonel (AAC) |\n| 6 | Cadet Staff Sergeant | Staff Sergeant (AAC) | Colonel (AAC) |\n| 7 | Cadet Warrant Officer Class Two | Warrant Officer Class Two (AAC) | |\n| 8 | Cadet Warrant Officer Class One | Warrant Officer Class One (AAC) | |\n| 9 | Cadet Under Officer | | |\n\n> Note 1 The above table must be read together with regulation 10.\n\n> Note 2 In the above table (AAC) means Australian Army Cadets.\n\nSchedule 3 Ranks in the Australian Air Force Cadets\n\n(subregulation 10 (1))\n\n| Item | Ranks of cadets | Ranks of instructors | Ranks of officers |\n| ---- | --------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------ |\n| 1 | Cadet | Aircraftman (AAFC) or Aircraftwoman (AAFC) | Pilot Officer (AAFC) |\n| 2 | Leading Cadet | Leading Aircraftman (AAFC) or Leading Aircraftwoman (AAFC) | Flying Officer (AAFC) |\n| 3 | Cadet Corporal | Corporal (AAFC) | Flight Lieutenant (AAFC) |\n| 4 | Cadet Sergeant | Sergeant (AAFC) | Squadron Leader (AAFC) |\n| 5 | Cadet Flight Sergeant | Flight Sergeant (AAFC) | Wing Commander (AAFC) |\n| 6 | Cadet Warrant Officer | Warrant Officer (AAFC) | Group Captain (AAFC) |\n| 7 | Cadet Under Officer | | |\n\n> Note 1 The above table must be read together with regulation 10.\n\n> Note 2 In the above table (AAFC) means Australian Air Force Cadets.\n\nSchedule 4 The Code of Conduct\n\n(regulation 16)\n\n (1) A member of a cadet force must behave honestly and with integrity while undertaking cadet force activities.\n (2) A member of a cadet force must act with care and diligence while undertaking cadet force activities.\n (3) A member of a cadet force must treat everyone with respect and courtesy, and without harassment.\n (4) A member of the cadet force must undertake cadet force activities in a safe, skilful and competent manner.\n (5) A member of the cadet force must not make unauthorised use of confidential information, or reveal it to persons not authorised to receive it.\n (6) A member of a cadet force, while undertaking cadet force activities, must comply with all applicable Australian laws, as follows:\n\n(a) any Act or any instrument made under an Act;\n\n(b) any law of a State or Territory, including any instrument made under such a law.\n\n (7) A member of a cadet force must, while undertaking cadet force activities, comply with any lawful and reasonable direction given by an authorised person.\n (8) A member of a cadet force must use Commonwealth resources in a proper manner.\n (9) A member of a cadet force must not provide false or misleading information in response to a request for information that is made for official purposes in connection with the member’s cadet force activities.\n (10) A member of a cadet force must comply with any other conduct requirement that is prescribed by these regulations.\n\n> Notes to the Cadet Forces Regulations 1977\n\n> Note 1\n\n> Note: The Cadet Forces Regulations 1977 (in force under the Defence Act 1903, the Naval Defence Act 1910 and the Air Force Act 1923) as shown in this compilation comprise Statutory Rules 1977 No. 206 amended as indicated in the Tables below.\n\nUnder the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, which came into force on 1 January 2005, it is a requirement for all non‑exempt legislative instruments to be registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. From 1 January 2005 the Statutory Rules series ceased to exist and was replaced with Select Legislative Instruments (SLI series). Numbering conventions remain the same, ie Year and Number.\n\n> Note: > Note: Table of Instruments\n\n| Year andnumber | Date of notificationin Gazette or FRLI registration | Date ofcommencement | Application, saving ortransitional provisions |\n| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------- | ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |\n| 1977 No. 206 | 3 Nov 1977 | 3 Nov 1977 | |\n| 1977 No. 275 | 22 Dec 1977 | 22 Dec 1977 | R. 2 |\n| 1978 No. 175 | 26 Sept 1978 | 26 Sept 1978 | R. 3 |\n| 1979 No. 8 | 31 Jan 1979 | 31 Jan 1979 | R. 2 |\n| 1979 No. 248 | 28 Nov 1979 | 28 Nov 1979 | R. 2 |\n| 1980 No. 334 (a) | 18 Nov 1980 | 18 Nov 1980 | R. 2 |\n| 1983 No. 41 | 21 Apr 1983 | 21 Apr 1983 | — |\n| 1984 No. 361 (a) | 30 Nov 1984 | 30 Nov 1984 | R. 2 |\n| 1985 No. 4 | 1 Feb 1985 | 1 Feb 1985 | — |\n| 1989 No. 217 | 23 Aug 1989 | 23 Aug 1989 | — |\n| 1990 No. 296 | 21 Sept 1990 | 21 Sept 1990 | — |\n| 1991 No. 283 | 17 Sept 1991 | 17 Sept 1991 | — |\n| 1997 No. 39 | 12 Mar 1997 | 12 Mar 1997 | — |\n| 1999 No. 152 | 14 July 1999 | 14 July 1999 | — |\n| 2001 No. 278 | 5 Oct 2001 | 15 Dec 2001 | R. 2 (rs. by Act No. 135, 2003, Sch. 3 (item 1)) |\n| 2004 No. 174 | 1 July 2004 | 1 July 2004 | — |\n| 2006 No. 141 | 27 June 2006 (see F2006L01935) | 28 June 2006 | — |\n| 2007 No. 93 | 27 Apr 2007 (seeF2007L01134) | 28 Apr 2007 | — |\n\n> Note: (a) Statutory Rules 1980 No. 334 and 1984 No. 361 were made under the Defence Amendment Act 1979.\n\n> Note: > Note: Table of Amendments\n\n```html\n

ad. = added or inserted am. = amended rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted

Provision affected

How affected

Part 1

Heading to Part 1.......

rs. 2006 No. 141

R. 1.................

rs. 1999 No. 152

R. 2.................

am. 1997 No. 39; 2004 No. 174; 2006 No. 141

R. 3.................

am. 1997 No. 39; 2006 No. 141

rs. 2007 No. 93

R. 3A................

ad. 2001 No. 278

Part 2

Heading to Part 2.......

rs. 2006 No. 141

Heading to r. 4..........

rs. 2006 No. 141

R. 4.................

am. 1997 No. 39

R. 5.................

am. 1990 No. 296; 1997 No. 39; 2006 No. 141

R. 6.................

am. 1997 No. 39

R. 7.................

am. 1999 No. 152

rs. 2004 No. 174; 2006 No. 141

R. 8.................

am. 1997 No. 39; 2006 No. 141

R. 9.................

am. 2006 No. 141

R. 10................

am. 1997 No. 39; 2004 No. 174; 2006 No. 141

R. 11................

am. 1997 No. 39; 2006 No. 141

R. 12................

am. 1997 No. 39; 1999 No. 152

rep. 2006 No. 141

R. 13................

am. 1997 No. 39; 2006 No. 141

R. 14................

am. 1997 No. 39

rs. 2006 No. 141

R. 15................

am. 1997 No. 39

Part 3

Rr. 16, 17.............

rep. 1980 No. 334

ad. 1983 No. 41

rep. 1984 No. 361

ad. 2006 No. 141

Rr. 18, 19.............

am. 1978 No. 175

rep. 1980 No. 334

Rr. 20–22.............

rep. 1980 No. 334

Part 4

Heading to Part 4.......

rs. 2006 No. 141

R. 23................

am. 2001 No. 278; 2004 No. 174

R. 24................

am. 2006 No. 141

R. 25................

rep. 1985 No. 4

ad. 2006 No. 141

Schedule 1

Heading to Schedule 1....

rs. 2004 No. 174

Schedule 1............

rs. 1991 No. 283

am. 1999 No. 152; 2006 No. 141

rs. 2007 No. 93

Schedule 2

Heading to Schedule 2....

rs. 2004 No. 174

Schedule 2............

rs. 1989 No. 217; 1999 No. 152

am. 1999 No. 152; 2006 No. 141

rs. 2007 No. 93

Schedule 3

Heading to Schedule 3....

rs. 2004 No. 174

Schedule 3............

am. 1999 No. 152; 2006 No. 141

rs. 2007 No. 93

Schedule 4

Schedule 4............

rs. 1977 No. 275; 1979 Nos. 8 and 248

rep. 1980 No. 334

ad. 2006 No. 141

\n```","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"model":"kimi-k2.5","source":"moonshot-realtime","completionTokens":3761},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The regulations have expanded significantly from their original 1977 administrative framework. Major amendments in 2006 introduced a comprehensive Code of Conduct (Part 3), mandatory child protection compliance provisions (regulation 14(2)(g)), and detailed procedural fairness requirements (regulation 25). The 2001 amendment incorporated the Criminal Code framework for offences. These additions transformed the instrument from simple enrolment and rank management rules into a modern governance framework addressing child safety, natural justice, and contemporary criminal liability standards."},"complexity_factors":["Operates under three separate parent Acts (Defence Act 1903, Naval Defence Act 1910, Air Force Act 1923) with slightly varying age prescriptions between services","Delegation powers split across two detailed tables specifying exact military rank thresholds (e.g., Lieutenant-Commander vs Captain vs Squadron Leader) and public service classification levels (APS 5, APS 6, EL1)","Application of Criminal Code (Chapter 2) to offences, including strict liability provisions and evidential burdens","Procedural fairness requirements (regulation 25) containing multiple conditional steps depending on whether the person is a cadet or adult, and whether they are under 18","Three distinct rank schedules (Navy, Army, Air Force) with separate hierarchical structures for cadets, instructors and officers"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is**\n\nThese regulations govern Australia's three defence cadet forces: the Australian Navy Cadets, Australian Army Cadets, and Australian Air Force Cadets. Made under the Defence Act, Naval Defence Act and Air Force Act, they set out how these youth military training organisations operate, who can join, and what standards of behaviour apply.\n\n**Who it affects**\n\n- **Young people**: Cadets aged between 12½ years (or 13 years for Air Force) up until the day before their 20th birthday.\n- **Adult volunteers**: Officers and instructors who supervise training and activities (minimum age 18 for instructors, 19 for officers).\n- **Defence Chiefs**: The Chiefs of Navy, Army and Air Force, who administer their respective cadet forces and delegate powers to subordinates.\n\n**Key things it does**\n\n*Joining and leaving*\n- Sets age limits and requires both cadets and adult volunteers to read and agree in writing to a Code of Conduct before enrolment or appointment.\n- Explains how cadets can request discharge or how adults can resign.\n- Lists grounds for removal, including poor attendance, unit closure, school departure (for school-based units), breaching the Code, being excess to requirements, or failing mandatory child protection procedures.\n\n*Structure and ranks*\n- Divides each cadet force into \"units\" commanded by appointed officers.\n- Establishes detailed rank structures for each service (listed in Schedules 1-3), from junior cadet ranks up to senior officer ranks.\n- Allows promotions based on age, length of service, and recommendations from unit commanders.\n\n*Behaviour and discipline*\n- Imposes a **Code of Conduct** (Schedule 4) requiring members to act honestly, with integrity, care, respect, and in compliance with all Australian laws and lawful directions.\n- Lists sanctions for breaches ranging from formal counselling and reprimands through to rank reduction, suspension, or discharge/termination.\n- Requires procedural fairness in disciplinary decisions: giving written notice of allegations, a chance to respond, written reasons for decisions, and information about review rights. Cadets under 18 must be represented by a parent or other adult.\n\n*Specific rules and exemptions*\n- **Alcohol**: Makes it a strict liability offence to sell or supply alcohol to uniformed cadets under 18 years old (with a medical practitioner exception).\n- **Firearms**: Exempts cadets from state and territory gun licensing laws when possessing, using or carrying Commonwealth-owned rifles or firearms for cadet activities.\n- **Uniforms**: Service chiefs determine what uniforms are worn and when.\n\n*Delegation*\n- Allows Service Chiefs to delegate their powers to specified senior military officers (of certain ranks) or senior Australian Public Service employees, with different delegation levels applying to different types of decisions (detailed in Tables 1 and 2)."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The compilation and Notes record multiple amendments and additions to the Regulations over time (see Table of Amendments and the Table of Instruments). Notable textual changes include the later insertion of reg 3A making Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code apply (added by 2001 No. 278) and numerous amendments to delegation, appointment, and other provisions (see the Table of Amendments entries for regs 3, 3A, 5–15, 23–25 and the Schedules). The amendment history as recorded therefore indicates that the operational scope and some legal mechanisms of the Regulations have been altered since the original 1977 instrument (see the Notes: Table of Instruments and Table of Amendments)."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross‑references to three separate Acts (Defence Act 1903, Naval Defence Act 1910, Air Force Act 1923) and to the Criminal Code (reg 3A)","Detailed delegation framework with two tables specifying who may receive delegated powers (reg 3, Tables 1–2)","Mix of administrative rules (appointments, ranks, promotions, uniforms) and criminal/strict‑liability provisions (reg 23, reg 3A)","Procedural‑fairness requirements that create timeline and notice obligations for decision‑makers (regs 14(3)–(4), 25)","Service‑specific differences (ages and rank structures vary between Navy, Army and Air Force schedules; reg 7 and Schedules 1–3)","Combination of discretionary powers (wide powers vested in service chiefs) and mandatory preconditions (written acceptance of the Code for appointees and cadets; regs 5(5), 8(4))","Schematic schedules and many historical amendments recorded in the Notes, indicating evolving text and interpretation risk"],"plain_english_summary":"What these regulations do (mechanics)\n\n- The Cadet Forces Regulations 1977 set out how the three Australian cadet forces (Navy, Army, Air Force) are organised and run. They define units (reg 4), who can be officers and instructors and minimum ages for those roles (reg 5), how cadets volunteer and are enrolled (reg 8), the ranks used in each service (reg 10 and Schedules 1–3), promotion rules (reg 11), resignation and discharge procedures (rr 13–14), uniform rules (reg 15), a mandatory Code of Conduct (reg 16 and Schedule 4) and possible sanctions for breaching it (reg 17).\n\n- The regulations also set some specific legal constraints and permissions: a strict‑liability offence for supplying alcohol to cadets in uniform under 18 (reg 23), an exemption from State/Territory firearms licensing where possession/use of Commonwealth firearms is necessary for cadet activities (reg 24), and procedural‑fairness requirements for decisions affecting people’s rights under these regulations (reg 25). Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code is made to apply to offences under the Regulations (reg 3A).\n\nWho decides and who is affected\n\n- The service chief for each cadet force holds primary decision‑making power: appointing officers/instructors (reg 5), appointing commanding officers (reg 6), accepting and enrolling cadets (reg 8), promoting members (reg 11), discharging members (reg 14) and setting uniform rules (reg 15). The service chief may delegate many of these powers to identified delegates (reg 3 and Tables 1–2).\n\n- People directly affected are: prospective and enrolled cadets (including age limits in reg 7), instructors and officers, and third parties who deal with cadets (for example, sellers of liquor; reg 23). Parents or adult representatives are explicitly contemplated for representation of cadets in administrative processes (reg 25(f)–(g)).\n\nWhy it matters (stated purposes and legal effects)\n\n- The regulations implement and operationalise provisions of the Defence Act 1903, the Naval Defence Act 1910 and the Air Force Act 1923 by prescribing ages, appointment processes and internal rules (see reg 7 linking to the Acts). They create enforceable conduct standards for members (reg 16 and Schedule 4) and give service chiefs powers to discipline and manage units and personnel (regs 5, 11, 14, 17).\n\n- The regulations also make specific legal rules that affect interaction with other laws: they apply federal criminal responsibility to offences under the regulations (reg 3A), create a strict‑liability offence around alcohol supply to under‑18 cadets in uniform (reg 23), and carve out an exemption from State/Territory gun licensing for use of Commonwealth firearms in cadet activities (reg 24).\n\nTesting the stated mechanisms against costs, incentives and trade‑offs\n\n- Who pays and bears costs: Members (cadets, instructors, officers) bear compliance costs — they must read and agree to the Code before appointment or enrolment (reg 5(5), reg 8(4)); they face potential sanctions including discharge or termination (reg 17, reg 14(2)). Service chiefs and their delegates carry administrative and enforcement costs in running enrolment, promotion, discipline and procedural fairness (regs 3, 11, 14, 25).\n\n- Incentives and behavioural effects: Mandatory acceptance of the Code as a precondition to serve (regs 5(5), 8(4)) creates a behavioural baseline: members are legally required to follow the Code (reg 16). Sanctions list (reg 17) gives a graded set of penalties which incentivises compliance but also requires administrators to exercise judgment about appropriate measures (see reg 17(a)–(g)). The alcohol prohibition (reg 23) imposes a direct legal deterrent on suppliers dealing with under‑18 cadets in uniform.\n\n- Bureaucratic discretion and decision costs: The service chief has broad discretionary power over appointments, promotions, discharges, uniform rules and sanctions (regs 5, 6, 11, 14, 15, 17). That discretion is supplemented by explicit delegation arrangements (reg 3 and Tables 1–2). Broad discretion reduces the need for legislative detail but increases the importance of internal policy and oversight; administrative burden arises from exercising procedural‑fairness obligations (reg 25) when adverse decisions are contemplated.\n\n- Compliance burden and procedural safeguards: Procedural fairness obligations (reg 25) require the decision‑maker to notify affected persons, provide details of alleged misconduct, allow the person to be heard, and provide written notice of decisions and review rights. Those safeguards protect affected persons but add administrative steps, recordkeeping and potential delay for decision‑makers.\n\n- Interaction with other laws and legal risk: The regulations apply federal criminal principles to breaches (reg 3A) and create a strict‑liability offence for supplying alcohol to under‑18 cadets in uniform (reg 23(2)–(4)). The firearms licensing exemption (reg 24) removes the need for members to hold State/Territory licences only for Commonwealth firearms when necessary for cadet activities; it does not affect private ownership rules and is narrowly tied to Commonwealth property and cadet activities (reg 24).\n\n- Concentrated benefits, diffuse costs and substitution effects: Appointments and ranks are administered by the service chief and delegates (regs 5, 10), so benefits from rank and appointment flow to individuals and units; costs of administration are broader across the Defence portfolio. The firearms exemption (reg 24) substitutes Commonwealth authorization for State licensing only in limited circumstances; it changes who authorises possession (Commonwealth control rather than a State licence) for specified activities.\n\nImplementation risk and opportunity costs\n\n- Implementation requires accurate administration of enrolment, age checks (reg 7), mandatory Code acknowledgements (regs 5(5), 8(4)), maintenance of promotion and discharge records, and adherence to procedural‑fairness deadlines (reg 14(3)–(4), reg 25). These administrative tasks require staff time and robust record and oversight processes. Delegation structures (reg 3 and Tables) create multiple potential decision‑points where inconsistent application could arise if policy guidance is not clear.\n\nKey points of discretion and legal consequence (with sections cited)\n\n- Appointment power and age limits: service chief appoints officers/instructors; instructors must be at least 18 and officers at least 19 (reg 5(1)–(3)).\n- Mandatory Code acceptance: applicants and appointees must state in writing that they have read and will abide by the Code (reg 5(5), reg 8(4)); all members must comply with the Code (reg 16, Schedule 4).\n- Disciplinary powers and fair process: service chief may discharge or terminate appointments for enumerated reasons (reg 14(2)); where certain grounds are relied on the member must be notified and given opportunity to contest (reg 14(3)–(4)); procedural‑fairness standards apply to all decisions affecting rights (reg 25).\n- Delegation and chain of command: service chiefs may delegate many powers to specified delegates (reg 3 and Tables 1–2), shifting decision‑making to particular ranks or APS levels.\n- Criminal and strict‑liability rules: Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code applies to offences under the Regulations (reg 3A); supplying alcohol to under‑18 cadets in uniform is a strict‑liability offence (reg 23(2), (4)).\n\nPractical takeaway\n\n- The Regulations create a compact administrative framework for the cadet forces: they prescribe who can join and supervise, set ranks and promotion rules, require a common Code of Conduct enforceable by specified sanctions, mandate procedural fairness in adverse decisions, and make a few specific legal carve‑outs or prohibitions (firearms licensing exemption and alcohol prohibition). The service chief (and identified delegates) drive most operational decisions, and the Regulations balance that operational discretion with written procedural safeguards and statutory offences."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/cadet-forces-regulations-1977","history":"/api/acts/cadet-forces-regulations-1977/history","analysis":"/api/acts/cadet-forces-regulations-1977/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/cadet-forces-regulations-1977/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/cadet-forces-regulations-1977/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/cadet-forces-regulations-1977/documents"}}