Minister for Defence, Peter Dutton has announce the investment, which will include $53 million in infrastructure upgrades to 17 cadet facilities over the next year, including in rural and remote communities.

HMAS Albatross, which is part of the priority upgrade, will receive a $5.6 million upgrade to improve amenity facilities, provide greater storage facilities and create shared, multi-purpose facilities for Navy, Army and Air Force cadets.

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Work at the Nowra Hill base is expected to start within a year.

Defence are also exploring options to lease or build new facilities for four cadet units - one of which will be in Batemans Bay.

Minister Dutton, was scheduled to visit the Nowra naval base on Thursday afternoon to make the announcement, but was canceled due to the ongoing wet weather, said the infrastructure investment will support the growth of the ADF Cadets by 10 per cent over the next year and is just one component of a number of initiatives being implemented to enhance the cadet program.

"We want to provide improved opportunities for cadets through a number of avenues, including better facilities, enhanced experiences, mentoring and relevant skilling," Mr Dutton said.

Locally, there are approximately 161 cadets in the Nowra area - 32 Navy, 81 Army and 48 Air Force.

As part of the significant enhancement of the cadets program, General Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, CVO, MC (Retd) will become the first Patron of the ADF Cadets.

"Being a former cadet himself, Sir Peter will bring strong values, experience and mentorship to current and future cadets," Mr Dutton said.

Defence will increase numbers in existing cadet units and create new units to complement broader government initiatives supporting youth development and skilling.

"In addition to the more traditional skills developed through the program, future cadets will also be engaged in STEM-focused activities including cyber security, virtual reality simulation, robotics and flight simulation," Mr Dutton said.

The program will focus on growing cadet and volunteer numbers, and establishing new units in rural and remote areas, including in Indigenous communities.

Mr Dutton said to ensure enduring local unit success, additional personnel, including veterans and reservists, will be employed to provide administrative support.

"The investment in facility upgrades will also provide opportunities for Australian industry including local and Indigenous suppliers and contractors," he said.

Assistant Minister for Defence, Andrew Hastie said the investment would also see upgrades to defence-owned and leased premises across all states and territories.

Some sites have been prioritised for works and earmarked by defence for cadet growth as they are in geographic locations where youth development programs could have a positive impact on the community.

"The sites prioritised under this investment are integral to the ADF emergency response network, and ensuring facilities are fit-for-purpose to develop our nation's youth," Mr Hastie said.

"As a former cadet myself, I know first-hand that cadets provide young Australians with opportunities to lead, grow and serve our country. It is a vital part of defence's contribution to building Australia's future leaders.

"These important announcements will help strengthen the future of cadets, and ensures that we grow the cadet program in the critical years ahead."