Its antecedent was the Australian Humanities Research Council (AHRC), which was convened informally in 1954 through the combined efforts of Brian R. Elliott and Professor A. N. Jeffares, who organised preliminary meetings in Melbourne of delegates drawn from the Faculties of Arts in Australian universities.

The AHRC was a positive force in education and scholarship, and its activities gradually evolved, especially in its support for national projects in the humanities.

Recognition among the AHRC executive of the changing functions of the Council led in 1967 to the proposal of establishing an Academy.

Royal consent was granted to the petition on 25 June 1969, and Letters Patent issued, constituting the Academy from that date.

[2] The Academy is governed by a Council of leaders in the humanities, elected from among its Fellows, who provide strategic direction, policy guidance, and management oversight.