Naval Cadet Corps Regulations (Provisional)

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STATUTORY RULES.

1907. No. 19.

PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACTS 1903–1904.

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby certify that, on account of urgency, the following Regulations under the Defence Acts 1903–1904 should come into immediate operation, and make the Regulations to come into operation forthwith as Provisional Regulations.

Dated this twenty-second day of March, One thousand nine hundred and seven.

NORTHCOTE,

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command.

THOS. EWING.

Regulations for Naval Cadet Corps.

Establishment.

1. The Establishment of Naval Cadets for each State shall be based on the amount of money placed on the Estimates for that purpose.

2. Naval Commandants shall have full authority to recruit to full strength provided that the amount voted is not exceeded.

3. No division of Naval Cadets shall be authorized in any port except where an instructor for the Naval Militia is provided.

Entry.

4. The following are the conditions of entry:—

(a) Age between sixteen and eighteen years.

(b) The minimum height shall be 5 feet, and with proportionate chest measurement according to height.

(d) Applicants must have the consent of their parents or guardians in writing, including their undertaking to be responsible to the Government for arms, accoutrements, and clothing issued.

(e) Applicants must be of good moral character.

(f) Applicants must be able to read and write.

(g) The minimum period of service shall be one year.

C.203.—Price 3d.

Recruits.

5. Before any arms, accoutrements or uniforms are issued to any recruit he must attend at least twenty night drills or their equivalent, and if during this period of probation his progress and behaviour are not satisfactory he will be discharged as unsuitable.

Instruction.

6. All instruction shall be under the supervision of a properly qualified instructor.

7. In all ports other than the Head-Quarters of any State Division, the instruction of Naval Cadets shall be carried out by the instructor detailed for duty with the Naval Militia.

8. Naval Cadets shall not be under instruction at the same time as the Naval Militia, except with the approval of the Naval Commandant.

Uniform.

9. The uniform shall be similar to that worn by the Naval Forces, except that the cap ribbon shall have printed on it “Australian Naval Cadet Corps.”

10 Naval Cadets may, as far as possible, be provided with uniform as follows:—

1 Blue serge suit.	1 Cap and cover.
1 White duck suit.	1 Straw hat.
2 Flannels.	2 Ribbons.
1 Silk handkerchief.	1 Knife and lanyard.

The uniform shall remain the property of the Government.

Badges.

11. The badges shall be of a similar pattern to those of the Naval Militia, but white.

Financial.

12. Naval Cadets will receive no pay or retainer. The undermentioned expenses shall be a charge upon the Naval Cadet Vote:—

(a) Medical examination.

(b) Uniform.

(d) Rail or boat fare proceeding to and from drill (with approval of Naval Commandant).

(e) Mess traps, hammocks and beds.

(f) Arms and accoutrements.

(g) Prizes.

Note.—Arms, accoutrements, mess traps, hammocks or beds on charge in the books of the Naval Force in any State, and not required for the Permanent Force or Naval Militia may be transferred on loan, with the approval of the Naval Commandant, to the Naval Cadets.

Prizes.

13. Cadets shall be entitled to prizes for musketry in accordance with the regulations in force for the Naval Militia.

Signalman, Seaman Gunner, and Torpedo Man.

14. Should a cadet pass the examination for Signalman, Seaman Gunner, or Torpedo Man as laid down in the Regulations and Standing Orders for the Naval Forces, he shall be entitled to wear the badge for such rating.

Petty Officers and Leading Cadets.

15. Cadets who have passed the above examinations and who have shown aptitude and fitness to control may be rated leading cadets or petty officers with the approval of the Naval Commandant.

Drills.

16. Quarterly—3 half days, 8 night drills; Sea or Continuous Training—6 days. Cadets to be classed as effective must put in at least three-fourths of the above half-day and night-drills, and not less than four days sea or continuous training.

Rifles or Carbines.

17. 303 rifles or carbines will, as far as possible, be issued to Naval Cadets.

Ammunition.

18. Ammunition may be issued as follows:—

Rifle .303—150 rounds per cadet attending Musketry Course.

Morris Tube—220 rounds per cadet attending Drills.

Note.—Cadets are not to form part of any gun’s crew when at heavy gun practice.

Transfers Between Divisions.

19. It shall be permissible for a Naval Cadet to transfer from one division to another, the method of procedure shall be the same as that for the Naval Militia as laid down in paragraphs 120 and 121 of Regulations and Standing Orders for the Naval Forces.

Discharges.—Transfers to Naval Militia.

20. Naval Cadets on leaving, provided they have been effective for at least one year, shall receive, signed by the Naval Commandant, a certificate of discharge specifying length of service and general conduct. Two classes of certificates will be issued:—

(a) To those who have been effective for one year.

(b) To those who have been effective for two or more years.

21. Naval Cadets who have served not less than one year, and who have gone through the Musketry Course and Sea Training of not less than six days, may be transferred to the Naval Militia provided they fulfil the Regulations as regards height, chest measurement, and medical fitness, and are favorably reported on. They shall draw pay and retainer from the date of their enlistment in the Naval Militia. Cadets thus transferred shall return all arms and accoutrements, but will retain the uniform (cap ribbons excepted), and such uniform shall be taken on charge in the books of the Naval Militia as issued to them.

22. A cadet may at any time be discharged or reduced in rank by the Officer Commanding for misconduct.

23. No cadet shall remain in the Cadet Corps after he reaches the age of twenty years.

General.

24. (a) Cadet Divisions shall be inspected at least once a year by the Naval Commandant or an Officer deputed by him.

(b) Arms and accoutrements shall be kept in a place set apart for them in the Naval Drill sheds.

(d) No Morris tube, ball, or other practice, is to be carried out unless there is a properly qualified officer in charge, and this officer will be held personally responsible that all care and precautions are taken against accident. A medical officer will always be present when ball cartridge is being used at the rifle range.

(e) Cadets must appear on all occasions either in the authorized uniform, or entirely in civilian dress.

(f) All regulations and orders in the Naval Forces for the inspection of arms, stores, &c., of the Naval Militia, shall be applicable to those of the Cadets.

(g) The Regulations and Standing Orders of the Naval Forces shall apply to the Cadets when not inconsistent with or opposed to these regulations or the Defence Acts.

By Authority: J. Kemp, Acting Government Printer, Melbourne.

Overview

The Provisional Regulations Under the Defence Acts 1903–1904, enacted in 1907, were introduced to establish and regulate the Naval Cadet Corps in each state, addressing the need for structured maritime training and preparedness. The regulations were made by the Governor-General, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, in recognition of the urgency to mobilise and train naval cadets promptly. The primary policy objective was to ensure that the Naval Cadet Corps could be effectively established, trained, and managed in accordance with the Defence Acts 1903–1904, thereby contributing to national defence preparedness. These regulations provided comprehensive guidelines for the establishment, recruitment, training, and operational standards of the Naval Cadet Corps, ensuring that cadets met specific entry criteria, underwent rigorous training, and adhered to strict disciplinary measures. The regulations aimed to establish a disciplined and capable naval cadet force that could potentially be integrated into the Naval Militia, thereby strengthening the nation's maritime defence capabilities.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Regulations under the Defence Acts 1903–1904 establish a framework for the establishment, recruitment, and operations of the Naval Cadet Corps in Australia. These regulations apply to the establishment of Naval Cadets for each state, based on the allocated budget, and are governed by Naval Commandants who have the authority to recruit up to the full strength permitted by the budget. The regulations detail stringent entry requirements for prospective cadets, including age, physical fitness, parental consent, and moral character, along with literacy and a minimum service period of one year. The regulations also outline the uniform, drills, and training schedules, and clarify the provision of arms, accoutrements, and other necessities, while explicitly stating that cadets will not receive pay. Additionally, the regulations detail the conditions for cadet transfers to the Naval Militia and the circumstances under which cadets may be discharged, including for misconduct or upon reaching the age of twenty years. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, applying across all states in Australia, and they are subject to inspection and adherence to the broader Defence Acts and Naval Forces regulations.

Key Provisions

The Provisional Regulations under the Defence Acts 1903–1904, particularly focusing on the Naval Cadet Corps, establish a structured framework for the establishment, recruitment, training, and operations of Naval Cadets within each state. Section 1 mandates that the establishment of Naval Cadets is determined by the financial allocation in the state's estimates. Section 2 grants Naval Commandants the authority to recruit cadets up to the authorized number, provided the allocated budget is not exceeded. Section 3 stipulates that a division of Naval Cadets can only be authorized in ports where an instructor for the Naval Militia is available. These regulations set forth specific entry conditions outlined in Section 4. Prospective cadets must be between sixteen and eighteen years of age, meet a minimum height requirement with proportionate chest measurements, pass a medical examination, obtain written parental consent, demonstrate good moral character, and possess literacy skills. The minimum service period is set at one year. Before being issued arms, accoutrements, or uniforms, recruits must complete at least twenty night drills, and unsatisfactory progress or behavior can result in discharge, as per Section 5. Instruction for the cadets, governed by Section 6, is to be conducted under the supervision of a qualified instructor, with certain exceptions noted in Section 7. Section 8 prohibits simultaneous instruction with the Naval Militia unless approved by the Naval Commandant. The regulations also detail the uniform requirements in Section 9, specifying that the uniform will be similar to that of the Naval Forces but with a distinct cap ribbon indicating "Australian Naval Cadet Corps." Section 10 lists the uniform components provided to cadets, which remain the property of the Government. Section 12 clarifies that cadets receive no pay but that various expenses, including medical examinations, uniforms, rations, and other specified items, are covered by the Naval Cadet Vote. Section 13 allows cadets to earn prizes for musketry, in line with Naval Militia regulations. The obligations and requirements imposed by these regulations include strict adherence to the stipulated entry conditions, mandatory attendance at drills and training sessions, and compliance with uniform and equipment regulations. Cadets are expected to maintain high standards of conduct and physical fitness throughout their service. The Act further emphasizes safety measures, such as requiring a qualified officer to supervise all practice sessions involving firearms, as detailed in Section 24(d). Violations of these regulations can lead to severe consequences. Section 22 allows for the discharge or reduction in rank of cadets for misconduct. Furthermore, failure to comply with the prescribed conditions for drills, training, and conduct can result in disciplinary actions, potentially impacting the cadet’s future service prospects. Non-compliance with safety protocols can result in personal responsibility for officers, underscoring the importance of adherence to these regulations to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the Naval Cadet Corps.

Area of Law: Defence & Military Law
Instrument: Regulation
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Offence Provisions; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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