About Us » Who is ACS Distance Education?
ACS Distance Education is an Australian education provider established in 1979. With more than 45 years of experience and over 600 courses developed across multiple industries, ACS specialises in practical, flexible online learning designed to build real-world knowledge and workplace skills. Students from around the world study ACS courses to support career development, business growth, professional advancement and personal interests.
A Detailed Look at the History of Australia's Online Vocational Skills School
2020–Present
This decade was largely defined by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which reshaped the educational landscape. Universities and colleges closed their doors and rapidly adopted alternative learning pathways, driving unprecedented demand for distance and online education.
Our student and affiliate numbers grew significantly during this period. Four decades of refining our educational model enabled us to scale efficiently while maintaining quality and support.
In 2024, founder John L. Mason transitioned from operational leadership to focus on educational development and partnership building. Leadership passed to Nicholas L. Mason, whose decade of experience within the organisation prepared him to guide the next phase of growth.
Following discussions with industry leaders and employment services, we developed a third course format—a hybrid model that combines elements of our traditional and short courses to address specific knowledge gaps in a practical 1–2 day learning experience.
By mid-2025, ACS had developed more than 600 comprehensive 100-hour courses across multiple disciplines. These courses may be studied individually or combined to create qualifications ranging from entry-level certificates through to advanced studies.
2010–2020
By the early 2010s, affiliated colleges in six countries were delivering ACS courses under licence, supporting approximately 8,000 new students annually across more than 150 countries.
In 2013, we transitioned from printed textbooks to eBooks. Rising production costs and changing technology made digital delivery the logical next step. Throughout the decade, we wrote and published more than 100 eBooks.
Between 2014 and 2017, ACS produced the monthly magazine Home Grown, following an invitation from the former CFO of Express Publications. Like our earlier publication, Your Backyard, it achieved strong commercial success.
Recognising the growing demand for micro-credentials, we introduced a 20-hour course format in 2014. By late 2019, 45 short courses had been developed.
During this period, our IT team also completed a new Learning Management System (LMS), creating a complete white-label educational solution for affiliated colleges.
2000–2010
The new millennium began with ACS writing monthly magazines for Express Publications under the Your Backyard banner. The publication became a bestseller throughout Australia.
Following four successful years, we concluded the partnership to focus on our expanding educational operations. At the same time, ACS was commissioned to write books on agriculture, horticulture, fitness, and management for Landlinks Press and Kangaroo Press.
After extensive evaluation of accreditation systems, we chose to leave the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) framework and redirect resources toward course development and student support rather than administrative overhead.
In 2002, ACS expanded internationally with the establishment of a UK office and sister school, providing local support and tuition to students throughout Europe and the Northern Hemisphere.
As the Gold Coast office became our primary Australian headquarters, the Melbourne office was closed, with staff successfully transitioning to remote work.
Around this time, ACS partnered with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to deliver the RHS General Certificate globally. The relationship expanded to include additional RHS-related courses and continued for approximately 15 years.
Exposure to problem-based learning (PBL) through international educational networks led ACS to adopt and refine this powerful teaching methodology across its curriculum.
In 2005, the organisation officially adopted the name ACS Distance Education.
By the end of the decade, ACS had developed 326 comprehensive 100-hour courses, with most students choosing online study.
1990–2000
In 1991, ACS established a second office on the Gold Coast to support growing demand from Northern Australia and international markets.
Following government reforms in 1992, ACS became one of Australia's earliest private Registered Training Organisations.
The emergence of the internet brought significant change. In 1994, ACS invested heavily in website development and online training systems, becoming an early adopter of online education technologies.
These innovations led to international partnerships, including educational programs delivered for the Bermuda Government and Pacifica, one of the United States' largest mail-order plant nurseries.
Throughout the decade, ACS pursued formal accreditation for many courses. However, a detailed review revealed rising costs with little measurable benefit for students, prompting a reassessment of the value of accreditation.
By 2000, ACS had developed 242 courses covering horticulture, agriculture, environmental studies, hospitality, tourism, health, psychology, science, technology, business, management, and other specialised fields.
As the curriculum diversified, the organisation registered the business name Australian Correspondence Schools to better reflect its expanded educational scope.
1980–1990
Until 1982, course materials were produced using traditional roneo printing methods. During that year, all course notes were converted into digital files for computer-based printing, an innovative step at a time when many educational institutions had yet to embrace computer technology.
By the mid-1980s, students were enrolling from more than 25 countries.
The decade also saw considerable success in publishing, with ACS contributing to major magazines, books, and industry publications. Staff regularly participated in conferences, agricultural events, field days, and trade exhibitions.
In 1986, ACS co-founded Let's Grow, a horticultural marketing business established with leading Australian gardening personalities Graham Ross, Sandra Ross, and Glen Heyne.
This collaboration led to the management of the Garden Show at the Royal Melbourne Show for five consecutive years.
By the end of the decade, ACS had developed 130 courses, including 86 horticulture courses and 44 courses in other disciplines. The business name Australian Recreation Correspondence Schools was registered to reflect this expansion.
In 1989, ACS began licensing courses internationally through a partnership with Home Study College in South Africa.
The Foundation Years (1978–1980)
While lecturing horticulture at several Melbourne colleges, John L. Mason recognised a growing problem: many qualified students were unable to access education because institutions lacked the capacity to accommodate them.
Believing education should be more accessible, he developed a correspondence-based course that students could study independently without attending a physical campus.
After government support failed to materialise, Mr Mason launched the program independently. An advertisement in Your Garden Magazine in August 1979 generated 37 enrolments and marked the beginning of the Australian Horticultural Correspondence School, the organisation that would eventually become ACS Distance Education.