The A.S.C.M. was formed in 1896 to 'witness by word and by life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ over every sphere of man's activity, in order that staff and students may hear and obey the claims of the Christian gospel as it is made known to us in the Bible and the experience of the Christian Church.'

It is a national, independent lay movement, with branches located in all universities in each state and some colleges. It is affiliated with the World's Student Christian Federation.
[The A.S.C.M in schools has a separate constitution, national committee and state committees, though it works as part of the A.S.C.M.]

The aims of the movement are to
1. confront students with Jesus Christ and His Gospel,
2. lead them to commit themselves to Him and His way of life,
3. help them to grow into His likeness and in the understanding of the Christian faith,
4. unite them in the fellowship of His Church and in the devotion of their whole lives to the service of the Kingdom of God.

The A.S.C.M. Was an active movement, its yearly programme involving several conferences (local and national), camps, seminars, lectures, Mission, prayer days, plus a number of social activities. They were also involved in schools, running a conference and lunch-time programmes.

All students were welcome to participate in the activities of the S.C.M. However only Christians were encouraged to become members.

There is no longer an A.S.C.M. Branch at Adelaide University.