A lot of information here , some quite helpful
What is the final verdict of everyone
I would say "no" - get an alternative qualification/skill whether degree/trade & put some work experience on top of it
Exception would be if you got ADF Pilot (preferably via ADFA degree first) or cadetship that leads directly to job - possibly only Rex ?

Interesting that some people think the old SCPL exams were “difficult”. My experience was entirely the opposite. Conversely, a few years later I did a science degree majoring in Computer Science and found it to be quite a struggle at times. Not the walk in the park that the suite of CPL/SCPL theory exams were.

For the OP, my 2 cents is to forget any of the so called aviation degrees. They are mostly dodgy, money making lurks for the institutions that provide them.

Apart from that, there is no single perfect pathway to a successful flying career. Degree, trade qualifications or neither all seem to work (or not work).

I’ve become ever more negative about the future of flying as a career. For instance, Cathay is actively studying the option of single pilot operation in cruise, it’s unlikely they are alone. This is the tip of a very nasty iceberg for future pilots.

But hang on. The ADF is not just a job. Our security situation is deteriorating and our potential adversaries are at near peer level, meaning mass casualties on our side in the event of conflict. Be prepared to honour what you signed up for and it could be grim.

Yes, a very good point not to be taken lightly. One wouldn't join the ADF just for a job. But for the right people that might be a positive.

Could be "grim" as ADF Pilot
All very high drama
ADF haven't lost a pilot in combat for over 50 years
Be so careful sugar puffs what you wish for , risk , risk , on my God the level of the incredible risk
Be so careful of that incredible dangerous risk

Whoa………..
Thats gotta be pretty close to trolling , doesn’t it ?

I have had the enormous privilege over my life of meeting and talking at length to;
-A Battle of Britain Spitfire Pilot
-a Spitfire Pilot who fought the Japanese over Darwin.
-Several Bomber Command Lancaster Pilots
-Numerous Vietnam era Mirage and chopper Pilots.
-and many more.

Anybody who signs up for the ADF without understanding the concepts of duty and putting yourself in harms way to carry out the mission is delusional.
And totally disrespectful to those that have gone before.

I missed this. My point was, remember what you signed up for. There's plenty of chat that our defence doctrine has moved away from dropping LGB's on Toyotas from the Flight Levels, toward a possibility of near-peer conflict in our region. The last time we fought China, 77 Squadron lost many, many pilots. The last time we lost a combat aircraft, the missiles came from CCP supported logistics.

People can do their own research of Western combat pilots in conflict post-Vietnam, who shirked their duty. Perhaps they joined up just to learn to fly?

Joining the ADF now just to fly would be naive at best - especially with a 14.5 year obligation.

I disagree on that. If you want to be a military pilot three years at ADFA is a waste of time, plus there is always the risk of losing your pilot medical standard over that time and getting bumped off your pilot course (and I say that as being an ADFA graduate). If you want to be a military pilot, bypass ADFA and go full throttle at being a military pilot. You can always come back to ADFA and study a degree or be sponsored by the military at a civilian university later on in your career.