It is a not-for-profit organisation governed by a voluntary board that provides the strategic direction for the sport and the strategies that are implemented by the staff at the national office.

In 1844 an English immigrant called Frederick Lipscombe constructed a bowling green behind his Beach Tavern in Sandy Bay, Hobart.

[3] Greens were then layed at Parramatta, Sydney and Melbourne, the latter seeing the first club formed in 1865, by an expatriate Scot John Campbell.

[3] Ten clubs met in 1867 to agree rules based on the Scottish Bowling Association.

They also stage a number of other important national competitions, as well as hosting international events in Australia, including the World Bowls Championships.