AMA Queensland (AMA QLD) announced on 2 December that it is leaving the federated AMA and no longer offering conjoint membership with federal AMA. This is sad news for the federation which best serves our members as a strong, united body.
The decision by the AMA QLD Board means that going forward the fees Queensland members have paid or will pay for membership of AMA QLD will no longer give them membership of the federal AMA.
Historically, the fee paid by Queensland members included the subscriptions for both AMA QLD and the federal AMA and made doctors members of both organisations (conjoint membership). Around 45 percent of what members paid was the fee for membership of the federal AMA and all its associated advocacy and activities on members’ behalf.
The federal government is the dominant funder of health in Australia and plays a significant role in how doctors deliver care. Medicare; the regulation of medicines and how they are funded; veterans' affairs; standards for accreditation of health services; private health insurance; privacy laws, and aged care are just some examples of areas that fall within the responsibility of the Commonwealth. Health practitioners are also regulated under a national scheme.
The federal AMA is widely acknowledged as Australia’s most influential medico-political association and has won major advocacy-related awards, such as the Association's Forum Association External Campaign of the Year Award. Our access to politicians and key decision makers in Canberra is unparalleled because we can speak with one voice.
Members voices are represented when we meet with key decision makers, including the Minister for Health, Disability and Aged Care, Mark Butler, who only last year described the federal AMA's Vision for Australia's Health as containing a hell of a lot of good policy.
They are represented in our national campaigns including Modernise Medicare and Clear the Hospital Logjam, developed by the federal AMA’s talented national campaigns and advocacy team.
Our experienced federal staff and doctors meet with decision makers regularly on behalf of members. In the first nine months of this year alone we represented members at 440 meetings with policy and political decision makers, including key politicians and their staffers.
Members of federal AMA also receive:
- membership of Australia’s most trusted and powerful medical peak body voice in federal politics on matters of funding, regulation and access
- a free subscription to the Fees List
- a free subscription to the Medical Journal of Australia
- the opportunity to be a member of AMA federal councils, committees, Federal Council and the Board
- the opportunity to be a representative of the AMA on federal government committees, working groups and consultative opportunities
- the opportunity to contribute to submissions and reforms that affect your practice and patients via our Consultation Hub
- access to member only events and webinars for networking and professional development
- access to member only communications
- discounted tickets to the AMA’s National Conference.
The Board of AMA QLD announced on 2 December 2025 it will discontinue conjoint membership with the AMA from 1 January 2026 and will not remit any of the money its members pay to federal AMA.
Previously, members paid a single amount for conjoint membership which meant they were members of both organisations.
AMA QLD has formally terminated all negotiations. The federal AMA remains open to conjoint membership arrangements in the future.
In response to AMA QLD’s announcement of separation and to ensure continuity of membership for our doctors, the Board of federal AMA will allow any Queensland doctor to retain or obtain their AMA federal membership from 1 January 2026 directly with the AMA.
Life members and honorary members do not need to pay any fees to continue to be members of federal AMA.
Other Queensland members will receive an email shortly with instructions on how to continue their membership of federal AMA.
AMA QLD has advised that none of this money will be provided to federal AMA. AMA QLD has offered full refunds to any doctors who are not happy about this. You should contact AMA QLD if you want a refund. You can contact AMA QLD on (07) 3872 2222 or amaq@amaq.com.au (General inquiries, reception).
Going forward, none of AMA QLD members’ monthly payment will go to federal AMA. Members will need to establish a payment arrangement with federal AMA to maintain membership of federal AMA. Detailed information about how to maintain federal membership will be sent to members in the coming days.
Going forward, none of AMA QLD members’ fortnightly deduction will go to federal AMA. Members will need to establish a payment arrangement with federal AMA to maintain membership of federal AMA. Detailed information about how to maintain federal membership will be sent to members in the coming days.
Historically, the membership fee collected by AMA QLD was comprised of both AMA QLD and the federal AMA fees and made doctors members of both organisations (conjoint membership). Around 45 per cent of what you paid was the fee for membership of the federal AMA with all its associated advocacy and activities on your behalf.
Going forward 100 per cent of the money doctors pay to AMA QLD will be retained by AMA QLD. Federal AMA was not supportive of this decision and is not involved in setting AMA QLD’s fees.
Questions about AMA QLD’s membership fees should be directed to AMA QLD. You can contact AMA QLD on (07) 3872 2222 or amaq@amaq.com.au (General inquiries, reception).
Federal members (including life members and honorary members) will continue to receive all federal AMA benefits that they are entitled to. Financial members will have the following benefits:
- a powerful and trusted peak body voice in federal politics on matters of funding, regulation and access.
- free access to the AMA Fees List
- free access to the Medical Journal of Australia
- the opportunity to be a member of AMA federal councils, committees, Federal
- the opportunity to be a representative of the AMA on federal government committees, working groups and consultative opportunities
- the opportunity to contribute to submissions and reforms that affect your practice and patients via AMA’s Consultation Hub
- access to member-only newsletters and communications from the AMA Federal President & Vice President
- Careers Services
- discounted tickets to the AMA’s National Conference
- all other federal AMA services, communications and benefits.
In response to AMA QLD’s announcement of separation and to ensure continuity of membership for our doctors, the Board of federal AMA will allow any Queensland doctor to retain or obtain their federal AMA membership from 1 January 2026 directly with the federal AMA.
Life members and honorary members do not need to pay any fees to continue to be members of federal AMA.
Queensland members need to renew their membership with federal AMA. Emails to Queensland members were sent Thursday 11 December. If you did not receive an email, please contact memberservices@ama.com.au.
This website will soon be updated with information for Queensland doctors who are not currently members but wish to join the federal AMA. Please check back here for updates on how you can become a member or email memberservices@ama.com.au for more information.
The AMA Fees List is included as part of federal AMA membership. Queensland doctors who pay membership fees to federal AMA (or are exempt) will continue to have access to the AMA Fees List.
If you have any questions about the Fees List, please email feeslist@ama.com.au
You can contact our member services team to find out more about federal AMA membership at memberservices@ama.com.au.
You can contact AMA QLD on (07) 3872 2222 or amaq@amaq.com.au (General inquiries, reception).