About Adult Learning Australia




Building learning communities


Through its publications, member networks, conferences, advocacy, e-services, interest groups and National Office networking, ALA is constantly speaking with and expanding the range of adult educators and learning professionals and bringing them together as a community of practice. In addition, Adult Learning Australia has taken a lead role in fostering a learning community movement in Australia.


It has done so in the belief that learning is a key pillar in economic growth and prosperity, social cohesion and community sustainability. Visit the Learning Communities Catalyst website, to find out more. It was, in part, through this national networking capability, that ALA gave positive support to DEST for the You Can Too consultation initiative.




History of Adult Learning Australia


The Australian Association of Adult Education (AAAE) was founded at a meeting in Hobart, Tasmania, in 1960. In 1989, AAAE amalgamated with the Australian Association of Community Education to form the Australian Association of Adult and Community Education (AAACE). The name Adult Learning Australia (ALA) was adopted in 1998 to reflect a changing adult education environment. It confirmed the association's view that the learner is the central focus of our attention, rather than the institutional form of delivery.


Alliance with EdNA Online


EdNA Online

Adult Learning Australia and education.au, the company managing EdNA Online have signed a memorandum of understanding. The MOU includes commitments to collaborate on the promotion and discovery of resources for the adult and community education sector; the sharing of web service functionality; mutual marketing and promotion; and the expansion of existing networks. The first major project under the MOU was the building of the Learning Communities Catalyst website.


The Australian Association of Adult Education (AAAE) was founded at a meeting in Hobart, Tasmania, in 1960. In 1989, AAAE amalgamated with the Australian Association of Community Education to form the Australian Association of Adult and Community Education (AAACE). The name Adult Learning Australia (ALA) was adopted in 1998 to reflect the changing adult education environment. It also confirmed the association's view that the learner is the primary focus of ALA's attention, rather than institutional forms of delivery. We seek to inform individuals seeking to engage in any form of learning.

Contact us


National Office



Southside Campus



Postal address: GPO Box 826, CIT Southside Campus, CANBERRA ACT 2601

Phone: 02 6215 9500
Fax: 02 6282 0042
Street address: E Block, CIT Southside Campus, Ainsworth Street PHILLIP ACT

ABN: 78 533 061 672
ARBN: 074 892 005