Australian Defence Force Academy

Sponsor Family Scheme

2020 Sponsor Family Application Form

The Australian Defence Force Academy’s Sponsor Family Scheme is designed to assist officer cadets and midshipmen who are in their first year at the Academy in managing the transition from civilian to military and Academy life. The Scheme provides them with a family environment within the Canberra area that would be a ‘home away from home; when the need arises.

The Scheme also gives members of the wider Defence community an opportunity to participate in the development of future Australian Defence Force leaders. Most of these young adults have not been away from home for extended periods before and benefit enormously from having access to a friendly family environment to visit during their time at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).

Each year the Australian Defence Force Academy seeks the support of Defence personnel in the Canberra area to open their hearts, homes and refrigerators and sponsor one or more of these dynamic young people.

The scheme is open to:

• Current serving Commissioned Officers and their families,
• Retired or Ex-Service Commissioned Officers and their families,
• Current or Ex-Service Warrant Officers and their families, and
• UNSW Canberra Academic Staff and their families.

There is no defined commitment for the scheme – the nature of the relationship is up to the individuals involved. Previous successful relationships have involved meetings for coffee and meals, regular phone/email contact, involvement in family activities and invitations to attend ADFA events. While Sponsor Families are encouraged to contact ADFA Staff as they deem appropriate, there is no expectation that Sponsor Families will provide feedback to ADFA Staff.