We know there are many online schools out there. But
no one has the rich Aussie history that we have at Open
Colleges. As Australia’s most experienced remote-
learning organisation, we’ve been providing life-changing
distance education taught by industry experts for over
100 years.
We’ve been making learning possible for over 125 years!
Life is full of opportunities, and we’re committed to unlocking them, so that a brighter future awaits.
Feel right in your decision
Our History
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Have questions about studying? or generally looking to get an insiders view if this course is the right fit for you? Find a time to chat with our team below
What does 100 years of History look like?
1920 Workbooks
Workbooks and assignments from the 1920’s that were sent to students in the mail.
Spreading the word that you can study electronics from home.
Education at your fingertips since way-back.
1973 ICS advertisement
Promoting our vocational courses to help Aussies start a career in electronics.
Our ICS Coupons of yesteryear
Long before you could instantly download a course guide from the website!
The sentiment remains the same!
Sharing the benefits of distance learning - it fits into your schedule.
ICS advertisement 1973 - the Colour TV Job Boom!
Making Australians aware of industry demand for TV Technicians.
What does 100 years of History look like?
Who we were - our surprising history
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2000 - 2024By 2001, ICS Australia was renamed Thomson Education Direct. In 2007, Thomson Education Direct became part of academic publishing company Cengage Learning, and its name changed to Cengage Education.
Then in 2010, Cengage Education was acquired by the Nexus Education Group Pty Ltd.
And in October 2011, we embarked on the next exciting phase in its evolution as Open Colleges.
It’s now 2024, and we are still adapting to our student’s needs. This year, we introduced our new custom-designed learning platform, OpenSpace.
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1990 - 2000ICS developed the very first learning CD ROMS with pre-loaded course material in the early 1990’s. Gone were the days of sending out large booklets by post!
Soon enough, ICS saw the potential for online learning. They created their first website in 1995 and announced that its first online courses would be released very soon. Students embraced the concept of online learning like never before with more and more people gaining access to internet connections and personal computers.
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1970 - 1980With the introduction of color TV back in the 1970’s came a huge demand for service technicians. For the first time in history, we started offering courses in the new and exciting world of Electronics!
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1921 - 1970We weren’t always known as Open Colleges. When we were first registered as an Aussie company in 1921, we were called ICS: International Correspondence Schools. Back then, we sent our students their workbooks and assignments in the mail, and they posted them off to gain their qualifications.
