The Australian Command and Staff College commenced operation in January 2001. This marked a new chapter in the history of officer education in the Australian Defence Force, when the three previous single Service Staff Colleges, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Staff College at HMAS Penguin, the Army Command and Staff College at Fort Queenscliff, and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Staff College at RAAF Fairbairn, were amalgamated.

The new joint staff college was moved into purpose-built facilities at Weston Creek in Canberra.

The three courses delivered by ACSC are military courses, conducted in a military environment that is dedicated to providing the highest standard of professional development for the future leaders of the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Public Service, and their counterparts in selected allied and partner defence forces.

Regardless of one's status as military or civilian, Regular or Reserve, Australian or allied, the effective conduct of the three courses requires that all staff and Course Members adhere to the Defence values of professionalism, loyalty, integrity, courage, innovation and teamwork. These qualities underpin all aspects of the College's professional education, and as a values-based organisation, thus form a critical component of a Course Member's potential.

Staff and Course Members are expected to share in a commitment to excellence that is achieved in a supportive environment whose characteristics are:

• A focus on active learning, offering the opportunity to participate in all aspects of the course
• Wherever possible, the use of real world rather than fictitious problems;
• Encouragement of individual experimentation and creativity;
• Cooperative teamwork;
• Open and honest sharing of information and knowledge;
• Support for personal and professional growth; and
• Respect and fairness towards all personnel, regardless of rank, service, gender, nationality, religion, culture, experience or expertise.

The Commandant ACSC is responsible to the Commander of the Australian Defence College for the control and management of the Australian Command and Staff College. The current Commandant Australian Command and Staff College is Commodore Richard Menhinick, CSC, RAN.