The Athlete Career and Education (ACE) program is a national program, jointly funded by Federal and State Governments. It is managed through the Australian Sports Commission and delivered by the network of the State Institutes and Academies of Sport and the AIS. The motto for the program is "a balanced approach to sporting excellence."

The ACE program provides athletes with career, educational and personal development services. The challenge confronting many athletes is how to maintain the balance between their sporting and vocational aspirations.The ACE Consultant's role is to help athletes to combine these areas more effectively, without compromising their sporting objectives.

Elite athletes invest a considerable amount of their lives in pursuit of sporting success. The ACE program, through the following services, encourages and supports athletes in their quest for success both on and off the sporting arena.

The ACE program provides:
* Career counselling and planning to assist athletes to identify career pathways and implement plans to achieve their career goals
* Personal development training courses to help athletes develop skills in public speaking and media presentation, job interviews, resume development, career planning and time management.
* Educational guidance and information on school and university education,TAFE courses, vocational training programs, course selection and alternative study pathways incorporating Distance Education and flexible delivery.
* Employment preparation to help athletes develop skills to become 'job ready' – writing resumes and job applications, job search and interviews.
* Ongoing transitional support to guide athletes through all transition phases including non-selection, retirement, injury, rehabilitation and relocation.