Australian Institute of Higher Education

What Australian Institute of Higher Education does

Australian Institute of Higher Education (AIH) is a TEQSA-accredited, CRICOS-registered private higher education provider headquartered in Sydney CBD with a second campus in Melbourne CBD. Established in 2009, it serves predominantly international students (the entire February 2026 intake of 534 students was international) alongside a smaller domestic cohort, delivering nested qualifications (Diploma, Associate Degree, Bachelor, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master) in business, accounting, business information systems, hospitality and tourism management, and project management. Its course portfolio is concentrated in the business/IT disciplines, with postgraduate specializations in cyber security, data analytics, and business analytics layered on top of the original business/accounting core.

The institution operates three complementary delivery models: traditional on-campus instruction across its two CBD campuses, the Block Model (one unit studied intensively over a four-week block with eight intakes per year), and Hybrid-1 (online lectures combined with one on-campus day per week). A distinctive curricular feature is the Practical Industry Project (PIP), a final-year capstone in which student teams work on real-company business problems over an eight-week period under industry mentor supervision. Learning is supported by a Moodle-based LMS, free Microsoft 365 access, and the EBSCO Host digital library. Professional accreditations from CPA Australia, IPA, ACCA, CAANZ, the Global Accounting Alliance, and a partnership with the Australian Computer Society differentiate graduate outcomes.

AIH's revenue model is tuition-driven, with fees paid per unit, per annum, or over the full course duration. The Pay As You Learn (PAYL) interest-free instalment plan is the institution's primary affordability mechanism, available to all students after their first semester. International student recruitment is delivered through a sales-led direct enrolment team, dedicated enquiry portals, and a global network of Approved Education Agents; domestic recruitment uses direct channels and FEE-HELP loans. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, and the institution is privately held under a Pty Ltd structure with a Board of Directors led by Chair Ian Tudor and Managing Director Glen Dobbie.

Name

Australian Institute of Higher Education

Legal name

Australian Institute of Higher Education Pty Ltd

Website

https://aih.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Australian Institute of Higher Education is a TEQSA-accredited private higher education provider in Sydney and Melbourne offering business, accounting, IT, and project management qualifications to predominantly international students through on-campus, Block Model, and Hybrid-1 delivery.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Business degrees
• International education
• Postgraduate programs
• Vocational education

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: AIH charges tuition fees per unit, per annum, and over the full course duration. Domestic and international students pay tuition fees which can be managed through Pay As You Learn (PAYL) instalment plans after completing the first semester. Fees are interest-free.
2. Application and Enrolment Fees: Fees and charges include enrolment fees, late payment fees, and other administrative charges as referenced in the Fees and Charges policy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Australian Institute of Higher Education is a TEQSA-accredited private higher education provider offering accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, diplomas, associate degrees, and graduate certificates in Accounting, Business, Business Information Systems, Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Project Management. Courses are delivered at CBD campuses in Sydney and Melbourne through on-campus study, a proprietary Hybrid-1 blended model, and a Block Model (single-unit four-week blocks with eight annual intakes). A Practical Industry Project capstone provides real-company work experience built into every course.

Product overview

The Australian Institute of Higher Education offers a unified higher education platform providing accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, diplomas, and certificates across Business, Accounting, Business Information Systems, Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Project Management disciplines. The institution's portfolio includes nested qualifications (Diploma, Associate Degree, Bachelor, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master's) with multiple entry and exit pathways. Teaching and learning is delivered through three complementary models: traditional on-campus study at Sydney and Melbourne campuses, the Block Model (single-subject four-week blocks with eight annual intakes), and Hybrid-1 (blended online with one campus day weekly). A distinctive feature is the Practical Industry Project (PIP), a mandatory capstone providing real-company work experience. The institution is TEQSA-accredited and holds CRICOS registration for international students, with professional accreditations from CPA, IPA, ACCA, CAANZ, and ACS. Fee flexibility is supported through the Pay As You Learn (PAYL) interest-free payment plan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Accounting An undergraduate degree program (AQF Level 7) providing foundational and advanced knowledge in accounting principles, financial reporting, and professional accounting practices, with accreditation recognition from CPA, IPA, ACCA, CAANZ, and Global Accounting Alliance.
• Bachelor of Business (Hospitality and Tourism Management) An undergraduate degree focusing on hospitality and tourism industry management, covering service operations, event planning, and tourism marketing across domestic and international contexts.
• Bachelor of Business Information Systems An undergraduate degree combining business and information systems knowledge, preparing graduates for roles in business analysis, systems design, and IT management with ACS membership benefits.
• Bachelor of Business (Management) An undergraduate degree (3 years full-time, 24 units) developing competencies in operations optimization, team leadership, customer experience, strategic planning, and business analytics across diverse industries.
• Bachelor of Business (Project Management) An undergraduate degree equipping students with project management methodologies, leadership skills, and tools for managing complex projects across various business sectors.
• Associate Degree of Business (Hospitality and Tourism Management) A two-year full-time associate degree providing intermediate-level knowledge in hospitality and tourism management, serving as an exit award and pathway to the Bachelor degree.
• Associate Degree of Business Information Systems A two-year associate degree bridging foundational IT concepts and business applications, with pathways to higher qualifications and ACS membership eligibility.
• Associate Degree of Business (Management)

Quantifiable outcome

• Higher grades and pass rates reported using Block model
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Australian Computer Society (ACS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIH is a partner of the Australian Computer Society. Final-year Business Information Systems students receive free ACS Student membership, providing career growth resources and professional networking. ACS membership is a key differentiator for BIS graduates entering the IT workforce in Australia.
• Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA)minorOthersAIH is a member of ITECA, representing independent tertiary education providers in Australia. ITECA advocates for the sector and provides policy representation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Excelsia College: Sydney-based private higher education provider offering business, education, counselling and related programs. The current AIH COO previously served at Excelsia, signalling operational and product overlap with AIH's business and accounting focus.
• SP Jain School of Global Management: Private Australian business school with campuses in multiple cities targeting international students across business analytics, IT and management master's programs. Comparable in international student orientation and postgraduate business offerings.
• Torrens University Australia: Large private Australian university with a broad business, IT and design portfolio and significant international student recruitment. Directly comparable on international student focus, course range, and private higher education delivery model, though substantially larger than AIH.
• Think Education: Private Australian higher education provider focused on business, design and hospitality, with international student intake via CRICOS registration. Comparable in private higher ed delivery, international student market, and niche business discipline focus.
• International College of Hotel Management (ICHM): Adelaide-based private higher education provider in hospitality and tourism management that recruits substantially international students. Comparable on private CRICOS-registered status, niche hospitality offering, and international GTM.
• Edith Cowan College: Private pathway college affiliated with Edith Cowan University offering diploma and pre-degree programs that articulate to bachelor degrees, with significant international intake. Comparable on pathway-style offerings and international student recruitment, though Perth-based.
• La Trobe College Australia: Private pathway provider articulating into La Trobe University, offering diploma and foundation programs to predominantly international students. Comparable on CRICOS-based international delivery, nested diploma-to-degree pathways, and urban campus model.
• Kaplan Business School (Kaplan Australia): Private Australian higher education institution offering business, accounting, IT and related degrees with a strong international student focus and similar urban campus model. Closely comparable in product mix, target market, and CRICOS-based delivery to AIH.

Broad incumbents

• Australian Catholic University (ACU): Public Australian university offering business, IT and education programs with national multi-campus footprint and international student intake. Overlaps with AIH's core disciplines but as a larger, established public provider with broader portfolio and stronger brand.

Emerging players

• Macquarie University International College: Pathway college of Macquarie University delivering foundation and diploma programs to international students that articulate into Macquarie bachelor degrees. Comparable on the diploma-to-degree pathway approach and international recruitment, though affiliated with a much larger public university brand.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AIHAustralia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/australian-institute-of-higher-education
• Instagraminstagram.com/aih_australia
• TikToktiktok.com/@aih_australia?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Australian Institute of Higher Education