It was formally opened on Friday, 8 August 1975 by the then Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Rt Hon Sir John Kerr, AC, KCMG, KStJ, QC.

Liz Hilton was appointed as Deputy Warden Secretary Manager and lived on site in a small flat located at the residence.

In 2010, The Manor was opened by the University of Wollongong as a residence for single higher degree research and post graduate students.

The Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Quentin Bryce AC, the Governor of NSW, Marie Bashir AC, CVO, and the Hon David Campbell, MP in his capacity as the NSW Member for Keira, have issued congratulatory messages for the occasion.

The principal elements incorporated in the Arms of International House are the blue of the sea, the gold of the sand and the red of the Illawarra flame tree.

The open book often used for educations institutions has also been included, as has a picture of the globe symbolising the international character of the residents.