Australian Defence Force Academy

Australian Defence Force Academy

Motto	To Lead, To Excel
Type	Commonwealth military academy
Established	1986; 38 years ago (1986)
Affiliation	Australian Defence Force
Academic affiliation	UNSW Sydney
Commandant	Commodore Peter Leavy
Academic staff	~ 150 Defence ~ 380 University
Undergraduates	~ 950
Postgraduates	~ 1300
Location	Campbell, Canberra , ACT , Australia 35°17′38″S 149°09′50″E / 35.29389°S 149.16389°E / -35.29389; 149.16389
Campus	Mount Pleasant, Campbell
Website	www.adfa.edu.au

The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) is a tri-service military Academy that provides military and academic education for junior officers of the Australian Defence Force in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). In 2016 the Academy began accepting civilian students in its undergraduate courses.^[1]

Tertiary education is provided by the University of New South Wales' Canberra campus, known as UNSW Canberra at ADFA, which is the awarding body for ADFA qualifications. Apart from educating future leaders of the Australian Defence Force, UNSW Canberra also provides postgraduate programs and short courses both to Department of Defence personnel and the general public.

The stated purpose of ADFA is "to serve Australia by providing the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with tertiary graduates who have the attributes, intellect and skills required of an officer".

ADFA is located in the suburb of Campbell, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, near the Australian Government district of Russell. It is situated next to Mount Pleasant, which gives some parts of ADFA a view over the rest of Canberra. ADFA is also adjacent to the Australian Army military academy, the Royal Military College, Duntroon.

Junior officers who attend the Australian Defence Force Academy hold the rank of Midshipman (MIDN) in the Royal Australian Navy, Officer Cadet (OCDT) in the Australian Army or Officer Cadet (OFFCDT) in the Royal Australian Air Force.