The school was established in 1990 under the oversight of principal Robert McConchie. The enrolment consisted of approximately 400 students. The second principal, John See, was appointed in 1997. On the retirement of John See at the end of 2006, William Maiden was appointed as principal. As of 2014 the college has over 734 students enrolled.
Campus
The college is prominently positioned on the shores of Lake Tuggeranong, Greenway and is close to the Tuggeranong Town Centre and bus terminal. The college campus and the adjoining public library was designed by the firm Edwards Madigan Torzillo and Briggs, the same firm the designed the High Court of Australia building and National Gallery of Australia in Parkes. Campus facilities include general use science laboratories; metal, wood, and auto technology workshops; a kitchen class room; sporting facilities including a rowing shed; drama, dance, art and photography studios; and teaching spaces from 20 person class rooms to an eighty-seat lecture theatre. Tuggeranong Town Centre Library is adjacent to the college and is a joint-use facility catering for the educational needs of college students and for community use. The proximity of the library provides students with access to the ACT public library collection, free computing facilities and study space. Fully qualified Teacher Librarians, in addition to ACT Public Library staff, further the services provided to college students.
Student admissions
Lake Tuggeranong College admits around 450 year 11 students each year. Education programs are offered for students intending to apply for university admission as well as those seeking vocational training. The college also provides for students with special needs accepting children from special education schools. The college does not discriminate between students seeking higher tertiary education and vocational studies in its admissions process. The campus culture is structured on university lines, with large amounts of freedom of expression and emphasis on personal responsibility with regard to educational commitment than privately operated equivalent schools. The ACT government does not allow schools to set compulsory fees to its domestic students, however the college Board suggests a voluntary contribution which includes a base sum of $180 per year. Around 60% of students pay this contribution. Students enrol in 4 to 8 subjects, which are classified as to whether or not they constitute formal pre-tertiary training. If they have that T classification, students are ranked in the subject. Other vocational courses are designed to provide training for the work force or for personal educational enrichment. Students who are enrolled in ASBAs only have to enroll in 4 subjects as they spend a day a week engaged in on-the-job training.
