The Australian Hotels Association was founded in 1839 with branches established in each state and territory: Tasmanian branch in 1839, Victorian branch in 1843, South Australian branch in 1871, New South Wales branch in 1873, Queensland branch in 1885, Western Australian branch in 1897, Northern Territory in 1979 and an Australian Capital Territory branch of the AHA in 1994. The New South Wales Branch traces its origins back to 1873 with the formation of the Licensed Victuallers' Association of New South Wales. A second association, the City and Provincial Victuallers' Association was formed in May 1880, but wound up in May 1882. A third association, the Amalgamated Licensed Victuallers' Association was formed in 1885. In 1889 the United Licensed Victuallers Association (ULVA) of New South Wales was formed to consolidate the interests of hotelkeepers. In 1959 the ULVA became known as the NSW Branch of the Australian Hotels Association. In 1960, AHA (NSW) obtained registration as an industrial union of employers and in 1961 established its own trading company.

The company was affiliated with the United Licensed Victuallers Association and its successor the Australian Hotels Association, New South Wales branch. The company was registered in New South Wales on 12 December 1933 as the ULVA Sporting News Pty Ltd and changed its name in 1935 to ULVA Publications Pty Ltd. In 1935 the ULVA purchased the 'Licensed Victuallers' Gazette', changing its name to the 'ULVA Review'. When ULVA became AHA (NSW) in 1959, the company changed its name to AHA Publications Pty Ltd. It was deregistered on 27 February 1992.