The Australian International School opened on 1 February 1993 at its first campus on Mount Sophia, an area behind Plaza Singapura and the Cathay Building reconstruction. The School started under the leadership of Miss Coral Dixon with 32 students and 7 teachers, with no air-conditioning, uniform or facilities that are now taken for granted. By the end of 1993, there were over two hundred students.

The School experienced rapid growth and by the end of 1994, with numbers just over 400, the students moved to Emerald Hill, directly behind Orchard Road . Although the School was bigger and could accommodate more students it still did not have a full–sized gym, pool, theatre and other much needed facilities.

As the School continued to expand it was clear that space was running out at Emerald Hill and by the end of 1997, AIS had moved to Ulu Pandan, near Clementi, the site of the old Singapore American School, which had recently moved to a new site at Woodlands.

The School enjoyed five and a half years at Ulu Pandan during which time it finally secured land to construct a purpose built school at Lorong Chuan, with first class facilities. In February 2002, Mr Peter Bond began as Principal of AIS.

The School moved from Ulu Pandan to its final “home” at Lorong Chuan over the holidays in July 2003, with 1100 students enrolled.

In October 2007, the School was purchased by the Cognita Group of Schools and in July 2008, a Junior School and Preschool wing were built to house children from Preschool to Year 2 at a purpose-built facility. The campus is a bright, airy and modern building with large pod spaces for group work. Click here to tour the Junior and Preschool campus. 

In 2010, a new Senior building was opened to accommodate Year 10, 11 and 12 students. This wing incorporates private study spaces, 35 classrooms and a new Science and Technology area.

In January 2012, Dr Nick Miller took over as Principal of AIS, and the School moved to a new school structure with two sub-schools: Elementary School (Preschool, Junior School and Primary School) and Secondary School.

Currently there are 2500 students enrolled and the School employs over 200 members of teaching staff.