The Australian Light Horse were not cavalry but were variously called:
Mounted Infantry (in Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia) or
Mounted Rifles (in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia).
However all performed the roles of both Mounted Infantry and Mounted Rifles as defined below.
Cavalry: the traditional horsed soldier, trained in the skill of use of cavalry sword and lance they were required to do scouting, reconnaissance, outpost and quard duty, skirmishing, surprise attack and defence. They traditionally fought on horseback but increasingly by World War I also on foot. This mode of combat was phasing out as firearms took over.Later in World War I some of the Australian Light Horse were equipped with swords, and became cavalry.
Mounted Infantry: are Infantry- foot soldiers, armed with rifles, but mounted on horses to move rapidly from place to place.
Mounted Rifles: are horsed soldiers who as well as fighting on foot, are required to do scouting, reconnaissance, outpost and quard duty, skirmishing, surprise attack and defence with a firearm only (and bayonet).
The Australian 4th and 12th Light Horse Regiments at the Battle of Beershebain 1917 made what is the only successful Mounted Infantry charge (Light Horse is not considered Cavalry) in history.