Governor Lachlan Macquarie named the region Airds, after the Scottish family estate of his wife Elizabeth.

[3] In January 1975, tenders for the first homes in the Housing Commission's "Kentlyn" subdivision were called but the name Airds was not approved until May 1976.

[4] Like many public housing estates in Sydney, Airds was constructed on American Radburn principles designed to separate traffic from pedestrians.

Schools in the suburb include: The Airds Renewal Project environmental assessment report says the project will make the suburbs "a great place to live, a place with good services and facilities in a socially mixed community offering opportunities for residents to realise their goals".

WorkVentures Connect Centre at Airds runs free training and skills programs and support in finding employment for local residents.