About Us

The team of Australian coffee experts standing in front of our flagship café in Melbourne

Our Story

Original Australian Coffee founders in front of their first café in 2005

Australian Coffee was born in 2005 when three passionate coffee enthusiasts – Emily Thompson, James Wilson, and Michael Torres – united their expertise and vision to create something truly special in Melbourne's emerging specialty coffee scene.

What began as a single café on a quiet street in Fitzroy quickly gained attention for its exceptional quality, innovative brewing techniques, and the unique warmth of Australian hospitality. As word spread about our commitment to sourcing the finest beans and our baristas' exceptional skill, we expanded to Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide.

By 2010, we had established our roastery, allowing us to develop distinctive blends and highlight exceptional single-origin coffees. Our coffee education program followed in 2012, sharing our knowledge and passion with aspiring baristas and home enthusiasts alike.

Today, Australian Coffee stands at the forefront of the global specialty coffee movement. With our network of cafés, educational facilities, and research labs across the country, we continue to pioneer new approaches while honoring the rich traditions that have made Australia the coffee capital of the world.

Our Mission & Values

Mission

At Australian Coffee, our mission is to showcase Australia's unique coffee culture to the world while continually pushing the boundaries of quality, sustainability, and innovation. We believe that exceptional coffee should be accessible to everyone and that the knowledge, techniques, and passion that have made Australia a coffee leader should be shared globally.

Values

Quality Without Compromise

From bean selection to final cup, we maintain exacting standards at every step. We believe that attention to detail makes the difference between good and extraordinary.

Ethical Relationships

We build lasting partnerships with coffee growers, ensuring fair compensation and sustainable practices. We value the people behind every bean as much as the coffee itself.

Innovation Through Knowledge

We constantly research, experiment, and evolve our understanding of coffee. By challenging conventions, we discover new possibilities in flavor, technique, and experience.

Community Connection

Coffee brings people together. We create spaces and experiences that foster connection, conversation, and community both locally and across the global coffee ecosystem.

Coffee farmers and our team working together at origin

Meet Our Leadership Team

The passion, expertise, and vision of our leadership team have shaped Australian Coffee into the innovative force it is today. Each leader brings unique strengths that together create an unparalleled coffee experience.

Emily Thompson

Founder & Head of Coffee

Emily's journey began with a backpacking trip through coffee-growing regions of South America, where she fell in love with the complexity of coffee cultivation. With three national barista championships under her belt, she leads our coffee program with uncompromising standards and innovative vision.

James Wilson

Co-Founder & Master Roaster

With a background in chemistry and a palate refined through years of cupping, James has revolutionized our roasting program. His scientific approach combined with an artist's sensibility allows him to create profiles that highlight each bean's unique characteristics while ensuring consistency across batches.

Sarah Chen

Director of Education

Sarah joined Australian Coffee in 2012 after a decade in specialty cafés across Melbourne and Sydney. Her structured curriculum combines technical precision with a deep understanding of coffee's cultural context, making our education program the most comprehensive in Australia.

David Martin

Head of Sustainability

With a master's degree in agricultural sustainability and years of field experience in coffee-growing regions, David ensures our environmental impact remains minimal while our social impact is maximized. His initiatives have reduced our carbon footprint by 60% since 2015.

Our Achievements

Since our founding in 2005, Australian Coffee has pushed boundaries, set new standards, and earned recognition for our commitment to excellence in every aspect of coffee. Here are some of our proudest achievements:

World Barista Championship Titles

Our team members have brought home five World Barista Championship titles, more than any other company globally.

National Championship Wins

Across various coffee competitions including brewing, latte art, and coffee in good spirits.

3000+

Certified Baristas Trained

Our education program has trained over 3,000 professional baristas who now work in leading cafés worldwide.

Research Papers Published

Our coffee research lab has contributed significant findings to the scientific understanding of coffee extraction and flavor development.

100%

Direct Trade Relationships

All our coffee is sourced through direct relationships with farmers, ensuring ethical practices and premium quality.

Our team accepting a World Barista Championship trophy

What People Say About Us

★★★★★

"The training I received from Australian Coffee transformed my business. Their attention to detail, from water quality to extraction parameters, elevated our coffee program to a level I never thought possible. Five years later, we're known as the best café in Brisbane."

Alex Morgan

Owner, Brew Theory Café, Brisbane

Portrait of Sophia Rodriguez, International Barista

★★★★★

"I traveled from Colombia specifically to study with Australian Coffee. The experience completely changed my understanding of what's possible in a cup. Their scientific approach combined with a deep respect for coffee's cultural heritage creates an unparalleled learning environment."

Sophia Rodriguez

Head Barista, Café Altura, Bogotá

★★★★★

"In my 20 years documenting global coffee culture, I've never encountered a company with such dedication to advancing the industry as Australian Coffee. Their research, education, and commitment to sustainability set the standard that others around the world strive to follow."

Liam Jenkins

Author, "The New Coffee Revolution"

Our Coffee Journey in Images

Cupping session with international coffee professionals

Barista competition in Sydney with our team competing

Coffee education class teaching latte art techniques

Our sustainable coffee roastery in Melbourne

Direct trade visit to coffee farms in Ethiopia

Research lab testing new extraction methods

Join Our Coffee Revolution

Whether you're interested in our training programs, want to visit our cafés, or are curious about partnering with us, we'd love to hear from you. Let's celebrate and advance Australia's coffee culture together.

Get In Touch