Our History

2003

• At just 23 and 25, brother and sister Richard Brown and Niesha Brown shared a love of travel, cultural exchange and meeting people from all backgrounds. Searching for a career they could truly be passionate about, they discovered English language education. It was fun, meaningful, full of adventure and opened their minds to the world. And so, the BROWNS journey began.

2004

• On a shoestring budget, Richard and Niesha packed their bags and flew to Japan to recruit students. They spent four weeks living in a backpacker’s dormitory in Tokyo.
• On 3 August, the first three students arrived to study at the BROWNS Gold Coast campus.

2005

• The IELTS Exam Preparation program is launched.

2006

• Weekly student activities were hosted at the BROWNS family home, reinforcing the strong sense of family, community and belonging that still defines the school today.

2007

• BROWNS reaches 100+ students for the first time.

2008

• Investment in personalised curriculum begins with the development of Active8, setting a new standard for customised English learning.

2009

• The Brisbane campus opens, officially launched by the Brisbane Lord Mayor.

2010

• Winner of the Travel Magazine Star Awards – English Language School, Southern Hemisphere.
• The Gold Coast campus relocates to a larger, more modern building, enhancing the student experience.

2011

• BROWNS celebrates 10,000+ successful student graduates.

2012

• A landmark year for international recognition:
  • Winner of the 50th Australian Export Awards
  • Winner of Queensland Premier’s Export Award
  • Winner of the Queensland Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry Export Excellence Award

2014

• The Barista@BROWNS program launches, combining English with real-world skills.
• The BROWNS team grows to 100+ staff.

2015

• Winner of the Japan Best School Award.
• Launch of the High School Preparation program and BROWNS signs an agreement with Education Queensland International (EQI) as an official High School Preparation and recruitment partner.

2016

• BROWNS reaches 1,000+ students enrolled at one time.
• The Syrian Project launches, offering $100,000 in free English language tuition to refugees, reinforcing BROWNS’ commitment to social responsibility.

2017

• Launch of myBROWNS, creating sustainable digital systems for students and partners.
• The Primary School Preparation program launches, welcoming learners as young as six.
• Winner of the Hong Kong Australia Business Association Queensland Export Awards.

2018

• 15-Year Anniversary celebrations.
• Through a major collaboration, BROWNS supports 100+ students with employment at the Athletes’ Village during the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

2020-2021

• BROWNS embraces innovation and connection by delivering English courses online. This new approach allowed students around the world to continue learning, stay connected to their teachers and classmates, and remain part of the BROWNS community.

2022

• BROWNS opens two new world-class campuses in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, redefining premium English language education in Australia.

2024

• The Melbourne campus opens, marking an exciting new chapter and expanding BROWNS’ national footprint.
• BROWNS welcomes professionals from Timor-Leste to its Melbourne campus through an English language scholarship program, supported by the Walter Mangold Trust Fund and administered by the CASS Foundation.

2025

• BROWNS launches a new website, thoughtfully designed to make every step of the journey clearer and more welcoming. From exploring courses and pathways to applying and preparing for life in Australia, the new experience supports students long before they arrive on campus.