Australian Defence College The Australian Defence College ( ADC ) comprises three tri - service educational organisations operated by the Australian Defence Force in Canberra , Australian Capital Territory : The ADC is headed by a two - star officer , currently Major General Simone Louise Wilkie AM . Each of the educational organisations is headed by a one - star officer , or civilian of equivalent status , titled Commandant / Principal of their organisation . Officers from other countries are sponsored to attend the courses offered at each organisation . Typically these people are paired with Defence ' foster ' families in Canberra who can offer guidance and support during the visitor ' s stay . The first two organisations are sited at a campus at Weston , ACT . This campus has been sold to private hands and leased back by Defence . Both campuses maintain extensive libraries . History of College . The current Australian Defence College has its origins in the report of the Defence Efficiency Review that was issued in May 1997 . The report recommended sweeping changes to officer education in the Australian Defence Force . The 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 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 , which is run by the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies ( CDSS ) . On 14 March 2001 the then Governor – General , Sir William Deane , commemorated the establishment of the ADC , and officially opened the Australian Command and Staff College ( ACSC ) . Prior to the establishment of the ACSC , middle management officer Command and Staff training was conducted at separate single Service staff college s : On 1 October 2007 the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre ( ADFWC ) and the Australian Defence College merged under command of the Commander ADC , as part of the Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group . They are now under the Commander , Joint Education , Training and Warfare . Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies ( CDSS ) . 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 - opened in January 2001 as part of the reorganised Australian Defence College . The CDSS is intended for senior Service and civilian officers of mainly Colonel ( equiv ) rank . The main course is an intensive Defence and Strategic Studies Course ( DSSC ) , primarily using study modules from various Australian universities . The DSSC is intended to give officers of the Australian Defence Force , the Australian Public Service and overseas participants with the knowledge and skills required by senior leaders and managers operating in the national security environment . The DSSC concentrates on the Asia - Pacific region . The interconnected thematic core curriculum blocks that are : Successful completion of this course is considered necessary for promotion to Brigadier ( equiv ) rank in the Australian Defence Force . Distinguished Guest lecturers are used to give the course a practical context . Visiting Fellows include prominent academics from overseas . Principals . The following is a list of the Principals , Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies . Australian Command and Staff College ( ACSC ) . 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 . Courses conducted are the : Other courses are preparations for these : Commanders . The following is a list of the Commanders , Australian Command and Staff College . Roof collapse . 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 . Classes were moved to the ADFA campus while restoration work was completed . Australian Defence Force Academy . The Australian Defence Force Academy ( ADFA ) is the educational institution for cadet officers of the Australian Defence Force , offering three - and four - year primary degrees , and postgraduate degrees . ADFA is operated as a campus of the University of New South Wales ( UNSW ) and has academic and support staff employed by the university . Military staff maintain a separate training program in non - academic time . The campus is in Campbell , ACT , and is located between Russell , Campbell Park and Duntroon . Current Commandant : Commodore Bruce Kafer AM , CSC , RAN Rector : Professor John Baird