The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is Australia’s primary national sports administration, development and advisory agency. The ASC is governed by a board of commissioners which are appointed by the Australian Government to maintain honesty and integrity, subsequently paving the way for constant improvement and evolution. Whilst the overall role of the ASC is the development of sport from the grass root community level to elite athlete; its primary role is the responsibility of conducting its main program in the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

The AIS was opened on the 26th January 1981 by the then Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, however the origins of the AIS can be found many years before its opening. With Australia having such a proud sporting tradition, their performance at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games was seen as an embarrassment for Australian sport, unable win a single gold medal and only attaining one silver and four bronze. Due to Australia’s poor performance at these Olympic Games, as well as studies into overseas sporting programs, the Australian Government decided to establish the AIS. Within three years of its opening, the results from the establishment of the AIS were starting to show with success at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The Institute was initially exclusively based in Canberra; however it has since branched out to states across Australia with a variety of individual and team sport programs. The 65 hectare site in the Canberra suburb of Bruce still remains the main base, and it’s recognised as a symbol of excellence.

Additionally, state and territory based institutes and academies have been established to essentially act as a feeder system to the AIS;

New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS)
The NSWIS was established as a statutory body under the Institute of Sport Act in 1995 following a review recommending central coordination and monitoring of high performance sporting programs, and operations officially commenced in 1996. NSWIS has more than 700 high performance athletes in squad or on individual scholarships over 26 sport programs.

Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS)
The QAS is a proud product of the Queensland State Government. QAS athletes have produced more than 70 Olympic medals since 1991. The QAS was recently relocated to the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre.

Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS)
The VIS was established in 1990 by the Victorian State Government as a trustee private company. The VIS moved into its new facilities at Olympic Park (Melbourne) in June 2004.

Tasmanian Institute of Sport (TIS)
The TIS was established to provide leadership and quality athlete coaching services to assist TIS athletes realising their potential to become successful international athletes.

South Australian Sports Institute (SASI)
Established in 1982, SASI was Australia’s first state sports institute. SAIS is a South Australian State Government initiative, and is a division of the Office for Recreation and Sport.

West Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS)
The WAIS opened in 1984. The WAIS currently offers programs in 12 different sports.

Northern Territory Institute of Sport (NTIS)
The NTIS consists of a collection of professional expert services and resources. The NTIS is based at the Marrara Sports Precent in Darwin.

ACT Academy of Sport (ACTAS)
ACTAS was formed in 1989 as an arm of ACT Department of Sport and Recreation. ACTAS is primarily funded by the ACT Government and is assisted by a range of corporate sponsors and the ASC; with the AIS being located within its region.

Above the divisional programs, the AIS excels in the area of sports science with programs in medicine, physical therapies, strength and conditioning, performance psychology, nutrition, biomechanics, physiology and performance analysis.

ASC with the AIS program is the catalyst for a success driven Australian sporting culture which has emerged over the past 20 years and with constant development will continue to provide international success for many years to come.