| Agency Name: | Australian Defence College |
| Headquarters: | Canberra, Australia |
| Jurisdiction: | Commonwealth of Australia |
| Minister1 Pfo: | Minister for Defence |
| Parent Agency: | Department of Defence (Australia) |
| Website: | Australian Defence College |
The Australian Defence College (ADC) comprises three joint education and training organisations operated by the Australian Defence Force in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory:
The ADC is commanded by a two-star officer, currently Major General Mick Ryan since January 2018. Each of the educational organisations is commanded by a one-star officer or Colonel (equivalent), titled Commandant of their organisation.
In 2019, the Australian Defence College implemented its biggest organisational reform in almost two decades. The changes included the amalgamation of the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies and the Australian Command and Staff College to form the Australian War College, to focus on Joint Professional Military Education. Individual training delivered by the Australian Defence Force Warfare Training Centre, Peace Operations Training Centre, Defence Force Chaplains College, Defence International Training Centre, and Defence Force School of Languages was centralised in the Australian Defence Force Training Centre.
The first two organisations are sited at a campus at Weston, ACT.
The current Australian Defence College has its origins in the report of the Defence Efficiency Review from May 1997. The report recommended sweeping changes to officer education in the Australian Defence Force.
The Australian Defence College (ADC) was officially opened on 18 January 1999 by the Hon Bruce Scott MP, Minister Assisting the Minister of Defence. The founding Commander of the ADC was Rear Admiral Raydon Gates CSM, RAN.
The first two courses that were run at the new ADC in 1999 were the Defence Staff Course (DSC) and the Defence and Strategic Studies Course (DSSC). In 2000 these two courses were merged to form one course, the Defence and Strategic Studies Course.
On 14 March 2001 the then Governor–General, Sir William Deane, officially opened the Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC). Prior to this date, middle management officer Command and Staff training was conducted at separate single Service staff colleges:[1]
On 1 October 2007 the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre (ADFWC) came under command of the Commander ADC, as part of the Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group.
In July 2017, the Australian Defence College transferred to the new Joint Capabilities Group.
| Commander, Australian Defence College | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Commander | Term began | Term ended | |
| January 1999 | August 2002 | ||
| August 2002 | April 2004 | ||
| May 2004 | January 2006 | ||
| January 2006 | April 2007 | ||
| Brigadier Brian Dawson (Acting) | April 2007 | August 2007 | |
| August 2007 | January 2008 | ||
| Commander Joint Education, Training and Warfare | |||
| Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas | January 2008 | May 2008 | |
| May 2008 | August 2011 | ||
| August 2011 | July 2013 | ||
| July 2013 | January 2018 | ||
| January 2018 |
On 15 February 2019, the Hon Darren Chester (Australian politician) MP, Minister for Defence Personnel, officially opened the new Australian War College.
The War College delivers the Australian Defence Force's core Joint Professional Military Education continuum through the War College's two principal courses: The Australian Command and Staff Course and The Defence Strategic Studies Course.
Both courses use distinguished guest lecturers to give the course a practical context. Visiting Fellows include prominent academics from overseas.
The following is a list of the Commandants, Australian War College.
| Commander | Term began | Term ended | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2019 | January 2020 | ||
| Commodore Richard Boulton | January 2020 | Present |
"Joint Services Staff College" is also the former name of the British Joint Service Defence College In 2019, the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS) – formerly known as the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies, and the Joint Services Staff College - was amalgamated with the Australian Command and Staff College to form the Australian War College, which is now responsible for the delivery of CDSS' main course, the Defence and Strategic Studies Course (DSSC). The DSSC is intended for senior Service and civilian officers of mainly Colonel (equiv) rank.
The intensive Defence and Strategic Studies Course (DSSC) primarily uses study modules from Australian universities. The DSSC is intended to give officers of the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Public Service and overseas participants the knowledge and skills required by senior leaders and managers operating in the national security environment.The interconnected thematic core curriculum blocks that are:
Successful completion of the DSSC is considered necessary for promotion to Brigadier (equivalent) rank in the Australian Defence Force.
Past Principals Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS)
The following is a list of the Principals, Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies.
| Principal | Term began | Term ended | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Varsanyi | 18 January 2000 | 5 January 2005 | |
| Myra Rowling | 6 January 2005 | 8 December 2005 | |
| Maurice Hermann | 5 January 2006 | 3 December 2006 | |
| Dr Alan Ryan | 4 December 2006 | January 2012 | |
| Ian Errington | January 2012 | February 2018 | |
| Colonel Charles Weller | February 2018 | December 2018 |
The Australian Command and Staff Course intellectually prepares future leaders to fulfil command and staff appointments in single-Service, joint, multi-national and interagency environment.
Other courses conducted are:
Other courses are preparations for these:
The Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC) conducts courses intended to prepare field ranking officers (Major / Lieutenant Commander / Squadron Leader) and their Defence civilian equivalent for staff duties and subsequent promotion to command positions.
Past Commandants Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC)
The following is a list of the Commanders, Australian Command and Staff College.
| Commander | Term began | Term ended | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Commodore Peter McDermott | March 2001 | December 2002 | |
| Commodore Campbell "Cam" Darby | December 2002 | January 2005 | |
| January 2005 | July 2005 | ||
| July 2005 | September 2006 | ||
| February 2007 | December 2007 | ||
| Captain Richard McMillan (acting) | December 2007 | March 2008 | |
| March 2008 | January 2009 | ||
| January 2009 | May 2010 | ||
| May 2010 | 2012 | ||
| 2012 | 2017 | ||
| 2017 | 2018 |
At about 4.15pm on 30 January 2006, part of the roof collapsed into the staff offices on the second floor used by the ACSC at the Geddes building. Several staff had minor injuries.[2] Classes were moved to the ADFA campus while restoration work was completed.
The Australian Defence Force Training Centre was stood up in 2019 following the Australian Defence College organisational changes and centralised joint individual training for Defence, Government Agencies and selected foreign students.
The ADFTC is as follows:
The following is a list of the Commandants, Australian Defence Force Training Centre.
| Commander | Term began | Term ended | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2019 | November 2019 | ||
| Captain David Luck | November 2019 | Present |
See main article: Australian Defence Force Academy. The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) is the educational institution for trainee officers of the Australian Defence Force, offering three- and four-year primary degrees, and postgraduate degrees.
ADFA's academic services are provided by the University of New South Wales Canberra and academic and some support staff are employed by the university. Military staff conduct a separate Joint Military Education and Training program to prepare the trainee officers for their military careers.
The campus is in Campbell, ACT, and is located between Russell, Campbell Park and Duntroon.
Current Commandant: Air Commodore Jules Adams
Rector: Professor Emma Sparks