Defence Forces recruitment dates and cadetship status

Cadetship and General Service dates are separate

An open recruit competition does not mean a cadetship application is available. Each route has its own status and terms. Use the current opportunities page to reach the official competition rather than relying on a search result carrying an older year.

The 2026 booklets remain useful for understanding that campaign, but they state conditions for that competition. They cannot confirm the dates or requirements of an unannounced 2027 campaign.

What you can do before the next campaign

Read the most recent terms for the stream you are considering. Identify educational or documentary questions that take time to resolve. Build an honest interview evidence bank and familiarise yourself with the publicly demonstrated reasoning formats.

Physical preparation can also require time, but the official suggested programme assumes some existing fitness. Use qualified instruction and the published guidance rather than assuming a four-week calendar is suitable for every starting point.

When a new competition is announced

Check the opening and closing information directly, including the date, time and applicable age reference date. Save the new terms and compare the selection stages with the older booklet. Update your plan before submitting.

After applying, assessment deadlines may arrive separately by email. A competition closing date is not the same thing as an aptitude deadline, fitness appointment or interview date. Record each separately to avoid confusing them.

How to avoid a false deadline

Do not turn last year’s February or March campaign into a predicted official deadline. A planning assumption can help you start preparation early, but it should stay clearly separate from an announcement.

PSP preparation access does not register you for a campaign. The official application page is the authority for whether a form is available and whether submissions are still accepted.

Questions about this stage

When will the 2027 Army cadetship open?

No confirmed date was found in the official sources checked on 18 October 2026.

Can I apply to a closed competition?

The official FAQ says application forms are available only while the relevant competition is active. Check current opportunities for a live route.

Sources and current instructions

These guides explain the preparation process. Check your current competition booklet and invitation before relying on a requirement or date.

Official decisions, eligibility, medical clearance and assessment results belong to the recruiting organisation. A PSP practice score is not an official pass mark or selection prediction.