The main aims of the force were to train young men from ages 16 to 18 to join the RAAF in the midst of World War II, and for young men to increase their "air knowledge" and interest in the RAAF.

[4] After the end of World War II, the ATC was scaled down from the lack of demand of RAAF pilots by demobilisation, and its aims were changed for a peacetime role, for training cadets to eventually join the peacetime RAAF.

[6] [7] However, in May 1976, the new Federal Government Minister for Administrative Services announced the re-formation of the Australian cadets movement, and the ATC acronym was renamed AIRTC.

These wings and their boundaries remained mainly defined by political state lines, redirected for better service delivery and focus.

[11] The broad aim of the Australian Air Force Cadets is to better equip young people for community life by fostering initiative, leadership, discipline, and loyalty through a training program designed to stimulate an interest in the Royal Australian Air Force.

The headdress worn by cadets and staff consists of the Hat Fur Felt - Khaki (HFF-K).

Standard training is on the fundamentals and development of military drill, aerospace, and skills on the field, whilst extension trainings, a prerequisite for progressing in rank, develop on leadership skills and concepts, as well as the aforementioned subjects in a leadership context.

AAFC squadrons often form guards and banner parties at Anzac/Remembrance Day/Victory in the Pacific Day/Vietnam Veterans Day services and other cadets will march on these parades.

Ceremonial parades may include firearms, with Lee Enfields, L1A1 rifles, or innocious versions of the F88 Austeyr (abbreviated as the F88I), and swords for executives.

Adult ranks are also followed by the letters AAFC (in brackets) when written, to distinguish them from actual members of the RAAF.

This is to ensure a balance between leadership roles and subordinates members (especially to prevent a top-heavy squadron developing).

The general standard is 1–4 NCOs and CUOs, This is not an explicit rule of the AAFC, but is rather a recommendation made to units.

"Crossed Rifles"[18] This comes in the form of two crossed Enfields[19] "Single Rifle" band parades[18] AAFC Staff may wear the ATA badge if they earned it as a cadet, however there is no option to be awarded the ATA badge as AAFC staff.

In 2015 the role of Warrant Officer of the AAFC was abandoned by a majority vote of National and Wing Executive.

In the interim several past Senior officers of cadets re-enlisted and were appointed at ranks that would enable them to qualify to submit an application for the role.

The winner of the Air Force Trophy is honoured with the custodianship of the AAFC National Banner for the following year.

The only person to hold the rank of Group Captain (AAFC) is the Commander of the Australian Air Force Cadets (CDR-AAFC).

This is the peak representative and advisory body acting on behalf of the cadets to the higher echelons of the organisation.

Bivouacs AAFC units commonly partake in camping activities called 'bivouacs' and allow cadets to learn fieldcraft, leadership and teamwork prior to a promotional course.

The plaque is located at the base of a tree adjacent to the south west path leading from the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Victoria.

[19] In November 2000, 15 year old Cadet Sergeant Ellie Tibble committed suicide after being forced to either resign or be dishonourably discharged from the AAFC on fraternisation charges with an instructor.

It was later revealed that the Deputy Director Reserve Personnel Cadets gave a direction to Officer Commanding 5 Wing (Tasmania) to retain her in the AAFC, two weeks before the suicide, as the discharge proposal was unfounded, but the direction was never carried out.

In 2017, a Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was held, examining the experiences of men and women who experienced sexual abuse in multiple institutions, including HMAS Leeuwin and the Army Apprentice School Balcombe between 1960 - 1980, and in ADF Cadets since 2000.