Junior Chamber was established in Perth in May 1933 and soon spread to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Launceston. It was not until May 1948, with Talbot Beckwith (Melbourne) as the first National President, that these Chambers came together to form the "Australian Junior Chamber of Commerce", a title which was maintained until 1963 when the Canberra National Convention decided to amend it to "Junior Chamber Australia".  At the Launceston National Convention in 1966, it was further amended to our former name, "Australian Jaycees".   At the National Convention in Hobart 1990 the name was once again changed, and the national organisation became known as Australian Junior Chamber. In 2006 the name was officially changed to JCI Australia in line with the international branding.

 

A permanent Secretariat was established in 1956 in Melbourne to serve the organisation.  In 1978 it moved to Canberra, but in 1995, it was relocated back to Melbourne.

 

1976 was an important year for the Australian Junior Chamber because it was in this year that membership was opened to women.

 

In 1983, Des Powell (Waverley/The Yarra) was the National President who led the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the chartering of the first Australian Chapter, with various activities and culminating at the National Convention.  

 

Our 40th National Convention, in 1987 was also a hallmark year because the first female National President of Australian Junior Chamber was elected - Irene Harrington (Eltham-Templestowe). 

 

JCI has also played a major role in providing business, community and political leaders since its inception.  The most well known of these include Hon Bill Hayden AC (Governor General of Australia), Sir Phillip Lynch (Deputy Leader of the Australian Liberal Party), Sir Charles Court (former Premier of WA), Sir James Hardie and Warren Jones (Manager of Australia II, III, IV America's Cup challenge syndicates).