The Australian College of Kuwait has been established under Kuwait Law 34/2000, governing private universities in Kuwait, to provide internationally recognized and accredited education and training to the Business, Engineering, and Maritime sectors. It was licensed by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education under Amiri Decree 141/2003 and commenced operation in October 2004.

The Australian College of Kuwait is the vision of its Chairman, Mr. Abdullah Abdul Mohsen Al Sharhan, who knows that the Australian vocational curriculum is the best in the world and has brought these world-leading courses to Kuwait to assist the development of Kuwait and its young people.

The Private Universities Council (PUC) oversees the operation of ACK from the governments perspective and has accredited the College to operate as a provider of higher education courses. Initially offering two-year diploma courses, ACK now has PUC approval to offer degree programs as well. A 2+2 course is available whereby students obtain their diploma in two years and can then continue, if they wish, to study for a further two years to obtain their degree. This arrangement is unique in Kuwait.