In 1987, Dean Carey returned from teaching across America and saw a gap in Australia for supporting our artists—both established and emerging. He gathered a team of the finest tutors and directors, and Actors Centre Australia (ACA) was born.

Extraordinary things evolved when ACA took over an 1880 abandoned church in Surry Hills, becoming a creative hub of craft and commitment for all students, tutors, and staff.

In 2000, the one-year course known as “The Journey” was developed into an accredited Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts, and ACA became a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

In 2015, ACA became a proud subsidiary of MindChamps Global Education Group and evolved “The Journey” into an established Diploma program.

In 2020, ACA partnered with Torrens University Australia to create a co-delivery offering of a new Bachelor of Performing Arts (Stage and Screen).

In 2023, ACA committed to new initiatives supporting the public and private education sectors—producing HSC curriculum plays for school audiences and hosting sponsored workshops for teenage drama students.

In 2025, ACA launched a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting) in partnership with Western Sydney University. The new landmark degree program draws on the rich legacy of Theatre Nepean and ACA’s track record of producing celebrated performers.

At ACA, we are driven by a belief in the power of the arts and have a commitment to honour and serve every individual’s artistic journey. We aim to create and support a powerful, strong and sustainable creative industry in Australia and beyond.