Welcome to the CESA
Advancing Australian Education for Over 100 Years.
Australia's First Business Education Society.
Providing educational opportunities in Australia and surrounding nations for 116 years
The CESA proudly publishes the peer-reviewed Journal of Commercial Education (ISSN 2982-3978 | E-ISSN 2982-3986), provides professional fraternity through its Fellowship, and has educated hundreds of thousands of students in business education throughout Australia and the Asia-Pacific.
Until 1910, Australians who wanted an independent assessment of their skills in commercial subjects had to sit for examinations that were set and marked in Great Britain. The papers were sent back for marking to London by sea, and the results were returned to Sydney by sea. That disadvantage was suffered by students in both private business colleges and in the public education system.
So, a small group of Australian businesspeople formed an organisation to provide a local service, the Commercial Education Society of Australia (CESA).
The Society has examined hundreds of thousands of students throughout Australia, Asia, and the South Pacific. It is open to anybody of scholastic achievement and an interest in tertiary education. Today, the Society offers independent commercial examinations, professional development programs, scholarly initiatives, and fraternity for Australians and people in neighbouring countries involved in tertiary education.
CESA remains a privately funded, not-for-profit organisation, which continues to encourage discussion and debate about the quality of education and training in Australia, Asia, and the South Pacific.
The Coat of Arms of the Commercial Education Society of Australia (CESA)
The CESA Coat of Arms was organised through the tireless work of Mr Gordon A. McKenzie, who placed great importance on securing an authentic Coat of Arms from the College of Arms, London. McKenzie was proud that the final design truly reflected the purpose and identity of commercial education in Australia. CESA remains indebted to his work and foresight.
The Coat of Arms was assigned on 5 September 1969 by the Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of England, His Grace the Most Noble Bernard Marmaduke Fitzalan-Howard, KG, GCVO, GBE, TD, PC, 16th Duke of Norfolk, Earl of Arundel and Surrey, and Lord Lieutenant of Sussex.
Did you know ...
we are one of only a few societies in Australia with a real Coat of Arms from the United Kingdom.