I really didn't want to do this, but in the interests of getting the good gen out to the younguns I offer the following:
Name with luck (aka Daniel): 16 years, cadets for 4 years, over 50 hours gliding time and about to go first solo powered.
My humble self: 49 years, started RAAF pilots course 26 years ago, over 9,000 hours total including over 8,500 hours military, current QFI at ...... Tamworth.
The PSA will assess your maturity. I have seen some quite young candidates display impressive maturity. Of course "life experience" is desirable, but certainly not essential. I have seen some fairly unimpressive types with plenty of "life experience", and who demonstrate difficulty adapting to the ADF way of doing things.
If my last post was read as intended I am not advocating either the DEO or ADFA route, just trying to illustrate some differences.
Avalanche07, over to you. Unfortuntely I can't answer your last questions. I suggest you contact your nearest DFR recruiting office.