GCA History - Chronological

GCA is very proud of its growth and transformations over the years.  GCA continues to offer quality well-recognised courses and provide the very best learning facilities to every student that crosses its threshold.

 GCA History - Chronological

1975 – MBC School of Computer Studies was established by Metropolitan Business School (MBC). Metropolitan Business School was a well-established secretarial college founded in 1895.

1985 – MBC School of Computer Studies moved to 5 Belmore Street Burwood NSW 2134

1988 – Educational Holdings assigned management contract for MBC School of Computer Studies located at 5 Belmore Street Burwood NSW 2134.

1989 –MBC School of Computer Studies acquired by Educational Holdings. Alan Manly, Co Director.

1990 – Educational Holdings was renamed as NSW Business College.  The management team of NSW Business College was joined by, Jenny McCarthy, later General Manger GCA.

1991 – NSW Business College acquired Laser English Centre located at 190 Chalmers Street Surry Hills NSW 2010

1992 – NSW Business College relocated to 190 Chalmers Street Surry Hills.

1993– Consolidation of colleges

1994 – With the growth in student numbers the NSW Business College relocated to new larger facilities 841 George Street Sydney NSW 2000 across the road from Central Railway Station.

1996 – Alan Manly resigned as Director and sold shares. Jenny McCarthy resigned.
NSW Business College renamed Australia Business Technology Institute (ABTI) by new owners.

1997 – Australian Business Technology College obtained High School Licence.

1998 – Group Colleges Australia (GCA) established. Alan Manly is Managing Director

1999 – GCA expanded with the acquisition of three educational institutions, namely Central College, the Australian Business Technology Institute and the Australian Business Technology College.

2000 – GCA’s first birthday. Transition period began… all colleges renamed Central College: Central College Business College, Central College English College, and Central College High School.

2002 – Central College High School renamed St James College. Central College English College renamed Metro English College, Central College remained the Central College.

2004 – Celebrated five years of GCA. Central College established as major education exporter.

2006 – Australian Institute of Workplace Learning, offering a wide range of training to corporate clients joined GCA.

2007 – First GCA Annual Report produced. GCA enjoyed continued growth.

2008 – Higher Education Providers Licence, granted to GCA T/A Universal International College (UIC) Sydney. Commenced delivering the Bachelor of Accounting Degree. This was accredited by IPA Australia in August 2009 and CPA Australia in February 2010. GCA relocated to a new 5,000sqm of campus being the former TNT Towers, 1 Lawson Square Redfern Sydney NSW 2016.

2009 – GCA Tenth Birthday, The Hub Info Centre appointed Principal Agent for GCA. St James College students being taught-out by end 2010. Bachelor of Business Approved. Bachelor of Accounting and Bachelor of Business approved for  Fee Help 23rd November 2009. The Hub Info Centre renamed MyQual and appointed GCA enrolment centre

2010 – Rebranding UIC Sydney, Central College and Metro English College.

2011 – Increased growth and profitability despite global downturn.

2012 – Renamed UIC Sydney to the Universal Business School Sydney (UBSS), which was updated on the TEQSA national register on 7th May 2012.

2013 – Central College Online launched with Accounting Courses, Bookkeeping Courses, Business Courses and Management Courses available from anywhere in the world via our state-of-the-art learning platform, "Central Square".  Studying a Nationally Recognised Training qualification through online learning has now become affordable and accessible to anyone.