Adelaide International School (AIS)

What Adelaide International School (AIS) does

Adelaide International School (AIS) is a private secondary education institution operating from a single campus at Level 4, 127 Rundle Mall in Adelaide's central business district, specializing in international student education and globally recognized university-preparatory qualifications. The school is the exclusive provider of the Cambridge International Program in South Australia, delivering the full Cambridge pathway of IGCSE in Year 10, AS Levels in Year 11, and A Levels in Year 12 alongside the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE). All teaching staff are required to be specialist ESL educators, a positioning explicitly tailored to international students who form the school's primary customer segment. AIS also operates as the sole Cambridge Examination Centre in South Australia, allowing it to serve private candidates beyond its enrolled cohort and extending its market footprint within the state.

The school's core academic offering is augmented by vocational education pathways through a partnership with Adelaide Institute of Business and Technology (AIBT), delivering SACE-embedded Certificate II and III qualifications in Health and Community Services, Information Technology, Business, and Commercial Cookery. Student support infrastructure includes guardianship coordination with Student Guardianship Services (SGS) and International Student Alliance (ISA), homestay placement via Happy Homestay, wellbeing monitoring through the STEER Tracking Tool, school sports under School Sport South Australia, and short-term Study Tours. The school is CRICOS-registered (Code 03133G, ABN 85 132 879 086) and is led by Principal Steve Bousfield with Zara Philips as Director of Teaching and Learning & SACE Coordinator and Joseph Koszegi as Acting Deputy Principal.

AIS generates revenue primarily through tuition fees, with international students paying approximately $24,780–$25,600 per year and domestic South Australian students paying $15,000 per year for full programs. Recurring tuition revenue is supplemented by a one-time $400 enrolment fee, a pay-as-you-go IGCSE Twilight Programme for adults and partial-program students ($1,800–$1,990 per subject), and recurring weekly homestay accommodation fees. GTM activity is sales-led, combining direct enrollment through the AIS website with active recruitment via a global network of education agents and dedicated country representatives in China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Indonesia. AIS is a subsidiary of the Adelaide Education Group (AEG), a diversified private education organization that also owns higher education and vocational institutions.

Name

Adelaide International School (AIS)

Legal name

Adelaide International School (AIS)

Website

https://ais.edu.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Adelaide International School (AIS) is a private Adelaide secondary school offering the exclusive Cambridge International Program and SACE pathways, primarily serving Asian international students seeking globally recognized qualifications and English-medium instruction with ESL-specialist teaching.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAJABAG

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/Private & Independent K–12 Schools

SECONDARYEDAIAEAB

English Language Schools (ESL/EFL)

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/Overseas Language Schools & Immersion Programs

Keywords

• International secondary education
• Cambridge IGCSE programs
• SACE certificate education
• ESL secondary schooling
• University pathway programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Adelaide

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - International Students: Annual tuition fees charged to international students for Cambridge and SACE programs, paid in advance per semester.
2. Tuition Fees - Domestic Students: Annual tuition fees charged to South Australian local students for all programs.
3. IGCSE Twilight Programme: Per-subject fees for adults and students aged 15-18 seeking extra SACE credits or upskilling.
4. Homestay Accommodation: Weekly homestay fees and placement fees for international students living with Australian host families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Adelaide International School delivers secondary education (Years 10-12) anchored by the Cambridge International Program (IGCSE in Year 10, AS Levels in Year 11, A Levels in Year 12) and the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE Stage 1 and Stage 2), with an embedded SACE Vocational Major that delivers Certificate II/III in areas such as Health, IT, Business, and Cookery in partnership with AIBT. The school specialises in international students and English-as-a-Second-Language learners, supported by an internal EPET placement test and ESL specialist teachers in every classroom.

Product overview

Adelaide International School (AIS) is an educational institution offering a multi-pathway system anchored by the Cambridge International Program (Cambridge IGCSE, AS & A-Levels) as its primary differentiated offering, supplemented by the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) for domestic pathways. The school provides integrated vocational training through SACE Vocational Major (Certificate II/III) in partnership with AIBT, and supports international students with specialized English language programs including the internal EPET assessment and ESL integration. Additional student services include homestay accommodation (via Happy Homestay), guardianship arrangements, wellbeing programs with STEER tracking, sports activities, study tours, and scholarship opportunities. The institution operates from a single Adelaide CBD campus serving both international and domestic students aged 15-19 years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cambridge International Program A globally recognised curriculum (IGCSE, AS & A Levels) provided in partnership with Cambridge University Press & Assessment, accepted by universities worldwide including Oxford, Cambridge, MIT, and Harvard.
• Cambridge IGCSE International General Certificate of Secondary Education - rigorous academic courses leading to a formal, globally recognised qualification at age 16. Year 10 students can study up to five IGCSE subjects alongside the Australian Curriculum.
• Cambridge AS & A-Levels Two-year modular academic courses preparing students for entry into global universities. Year 11 (AS-Level) allows up to 4 subject choices; Year 12 (A-Level) continues with 3 specialised subjects with minimal coursework focus.
• SACE Stage 1 Program South Australian Certificate of Education Stage 1 for Year 11 students, combining compulsory subjects (English, Mathematics, Exploring Identities and Futures) with elective SACE subjects, requiring IELTS 5.0.
• SACE Stage 2 Program South Australian Certificate of Education Stage 2 for Year 12 students, featuring compulsory Activating Identities and Futures plus elective subjects including languages, sciences, and business courses.
• SACE Vocational Major Vocational education pathway combining SACE credits with Certificate II/III qualifications in Health and Community Services, Information Technology, Business, and Commercial Cookery, delivered in partnership with AIBT.
• Australian National Curriculum Year 10 Foundation year program aligned with the Australian National Curriculum, featuring compulsory English, Maths, Science, History, and Physical Education, with IGCSE electives integrated for students seeking Cambridge pathways.
• English Proficiency Evaluation Test (EPET) Internal English language assessment using a 1-14 sliding scale to determine student proficiency levels and required ELICOS duration before mainstream classroom entry. Includes interview (10-15 mins) and writing task (45 mins).
• Homestay Accommodation Homestay placement service provided in partnership with Happy Homestay, offering quality Australian family accommodation for international students with orientation support and cultural integration assistance.
• Guardianship Services Formal guardianship arrangements for students under 18, with recommended third-party providers Student Guardianship Services (SGS) and International Student Alliance (ISA), including 24/7 support, airport transfers, and welfare monitoring.
• Study Tours Short-term cultural and educational programs in Adelaide featuring Australian culture, cuisine, and local school program experiences designed for international student groups.
• Sports Programs Diverse sports opportunities including badminton, tennis, volleyball, soccer, basketball, and table tennis, with membership in School Sport South Australia and participation in statewide competitions.
• Student Wellbeing Program Holistic wellbeing framework with dedicated Wellbeing Mentors, STEER Tracking Tool for monitoring, and focus on five dimensions: emotional, physical, social, spiritual, and mental health.
• School Scholarships Limited academic scholarships awarded based on merit, covering up to 50% of tuition fees for eligible students demonstrating academic performance, character, and community involvement.

Quantifiable outcome

• A-levels recognised by 950 top-ranking universities worldwide
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, support and minor.

• Cambridge InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCambridge International is part of the University of Cambridge and provides the globally recognized IGCSE, AS, and A-Level curriculum. AIS is the exclusive provider of the Cambridge International Program in South Australia and the sole Cambridge Examination Centre for the state.
• Adelaide Education Group (AEG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIS is part of the Adelaide Education Group, a globally connected comprehensive education organization that includes high school, vocational education, higher education, and research. Sister schools include AIHE (Adelaide Institute of Higher Education), AIBT (Adelaide Institute of Business and Technology), and ARTI (Australian Retail Training Institute).
• Adelaide Institute of Business and Technology (AIBT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIBT trainers collaborate with AIS to deliver VET (Vocational Education and Training) programs including Certificate II & III courses in Health and Community Services, Information Technology, Business, and Commercial Cookery.
• Happy HomestaycoreOthersHappy Homestay organizes quality homestay families for AIS international students, providing supervised accommodation with Australian families for the duration of their studies.
• Student Guardianship Services (SGS)supportOthersSGS provides comprehensive welfare arrangements for international students under 18, including bilingual support staff, 24/7 service, airport transfers, accommodation arrangements, and emergency assistance.
• International Student Alliance (ISA)supportOthersISA provides independent multilingual carers for guidance and support on academic progress, personal welfare, social and emotional issues, and safety. They offer a Safe Student App for emergency contact.
• Study AdelaidesupportGTM or Marketing PartnerStudy Adelaide is a government resource helping international students find information about the city, navigate, find courses, and find work. AIS is listed as a provider on the Study Adelaide website.
• School Sport South AustraliaminorOthersAIS is a member of School Sport South Australia and participates in statewide school sports competitions, providing students opportunities for badminton, tennis, volleyball, soccer, and basketball.
• Adelaide Independent Schools Alliance (AISA)supportStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIS is a member of AISA, connecting it with a network of high-quality independent schools across South Australia.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Study Group: Global higher education pathway provider with high school and foundation programs targeting international students. Comparable in business model (international student recruitment via global agents, CRICOS-registered delivery, pathway-to-university value proposition) and competes for similar Asian source-market students.
• Navitas: Global international education and university pathway provider with established Adelaide operations (formerly included Eynesbury). Comparable as a much larger incumbent running CRICOS-registered pathway programs for international students transitioning to Australian universities, competing for the same South Australian agent-driven recruitment channel.
• Haileybury: Large Australian independent K-12 school with international student programs and VCE delivery. Comparable as a private independent school competing for international students in the Australian market, though it does not focus on the Cambridge curriculum specifically.
• Kaplan International: Large global provider of English language training and university pathway programs. Directly comparable in serving international students seeking English proficiency plus academic qualification for global university admission, and operates a similar agent + country-rep recruitment model.

Direct peers

• Eynesbury College: Adelaide-based international pathway college offering Cambridge, IB, and SACE programs to international and domestic students. It is the closest direct peer to AIS in terms of curriculum mix, international student focus, CRICOS registration, and South Australian location, and competes for the same agent-driven student pipeline.
• Adelaide Institute of Higher Education (AIHE): Sister institution within Adelaide Education Group (AEG), providing higher education pathways to AIS graduates. Directly comparable as a downstream Cambridge/AEG ecosystem participant and as a CRICOS-registered international student destination in Adelaide.
• Scotch College Adelaide: Leading South Australian independent school, member of the Adelaide Independent Schools Alliance alongside AIS, and competing for both local families seeking premium secondary education and international students in the Adelaide market.
• Adelaide Institute of Business and Technology (AIBT): AEG sister VET provider (RTO 40312, CRICOS 03133G) that delivers Certificate II/III programs embedded into AIS's SACE Vocational Major. Operates the same CRICOS code as AIS, indicating deeply intertwined operations and shared international student funnel.
• Concordia College Adelaide: Adelaide independent school and fellow AISA member offering secondary education including international student programs. Directly comparable as a local independent competitor in the South Australian premium K-12 market and within the same AISA alliance network.

Emerging players

• International Grammar School: Sydney-based independent school with strong international student focus and multilingual teaching approach. Comparable in serving ESL-learner student populations with globally oriented curriculum and competing for Asian international students in the Australian market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@adelaideintschl
• Facebookfacebook.com/adelaideintschl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/adelaide-international-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/adelaideintschl

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Adelaide International School (AIS)