Formation and History

The last forty years has seen a rapid increase in both the number of Christian schools and the proportion of children attending them. While some 31% of children in Australia attend non-government schools, it is the Christian School movement which is amongst the fastest growing.

The new wave of schools operating under the name "Christian Schools" have been established by Protestant Churches and groups of parents so that children from Australian families could access an education delivered from a Christian worldview at affordable rates. With the growth of such schools, it was essential to establish clear lines of national coordination and cooperation and to maintain a cohesive identity that clearly demonstrated the true nature of Christian education as practiced in this new type of school.

AACS was formed in 1985 to meet this need. As a national association of schools, AACS began with two foundation group memberships, consisting of all Christian Community Schools(CCS)and all Christian Parent Controlled Schools (CPCS). Individual Christian schools and other national groups of Christian schools were invited to join the Association.

The basis of membership of the Association was and is agreement with the Statement of Affirmation and constitution.

In 1989, the AACS Council appointed an Executive Officer and established a National Office in Canberra. Following development of the Associations’ Constitution in 1990, AACS became an incorporated body, registered in the ACT and governed by a duly appointed/elected Council.

From 2002 AACS included all schools in membership with Christian Schools Australia Limited (CSA), incorporating those previously within the CCS group, and Christian Parent Controlled Schools Limited (CPCSL) as well as some non-aligned independent Christian schools.

In 2004, Christian Schools Australia resolved to withdraw its membership from AACS and to offer a Government Relations Service to its member schools in house.

From 2005, AACS continues to offer a Government Relations Service to all remaining members with its National Office now based in Springwood, NSW.

Membership of AACS is approximately 100 schools from all Australian States and Territories. Student enrolments in these schools about 33,000.