The AAC is a youth development program building resilience[clarification needed] in young Australians from all backgrounds.

[citation needed] Activities of the AAC include but are not limited to drill and ceremonial parade, abseiling, seamanship, navigation, field camping and first aid.

It differs from Scouts Australia and other youth exploration groups as its main focus is that of learning and using military and leadership skills.

[5] The King's School and Newington College vie for the honour of having the oldest Cadet Corps in Australia.

Two years later, a sergeant-major was appointed, muskets and carbines were purchased, and an armoury and gunpowder store were opened at Newington College.

The first official unit in Australia was established on 29 March 1866 at St Mark's Collegiate School by Reverend Macarthur.

In June 1868, the King's School had closed and did not reopen until January 1869, when it was amalgamated with the St Mark's unit.

[7] The first regional unit, and third oldest continually running corps in the country, was established in September 1898 by The Armidale School.

However, military training to students commenced in 1851 in the Port Phillip Colony of New South Wales, the year Victoria separated from NSW, when Sergeant Major Cleary from the 12th Regiment of Foot, based at Victoria Barracks (Melbourne), commenced drill instruction to students at Scotch College before the establishment of their cadet unit in 1884 when The Volunteer (Cadet) Act 1884 came into effect.

A school holiday was proclaimed on 19 November 1886 to mark the occasion of the first public parade of the Victorian Cadet Force at Albert Park.

In 1939, the outbreak of World War II caused the regimental detachments to be disbanded as staff were needed to train soldiers for overseas service.

On 2 June 1953, The Duke of Edinburgh became the Colonel-in-Chief of the ACC, as a part of the coronation of his wife, Queen Elizabeth II.

Military support for LSUs was limited solely to the discretionary loan of equipment for annual camps.

Uniforms, transport, rations and personal equipment all had to be funded by the school, parents or community organisations such as the RSL.

Some school based units in disadvantaged areas or located some distance from a military depot were given RCU status.

[9] Note: Although most regional headquarters are state based, Queensland has been split into North and South due to their combined size.

[10] The AAC has been subject to criticism, most notably because of its military uniform, program, discipline and structure in youth training.

This made CUO Josh Cronin (NCDT ADJT, 2024) the first cadet to be prohibited from applying for a position for having already held an experienced role.

The SCLG meets approximately monthly, discussing a range of matters including updates from around the country, and initiatives and taskings passed down from HQ AAC.