By applying for and maintaining membership, you agree to abide by:  

• the Constitution of the Australian Medical Association Limited;  

• the Constitution or By Laws of your local State or Territory AMA; and 

• the terms set out below. 

We may amend these terms at any time, provided the changes are consistent with the AMA’s Constitution.  

Members will be notified of changes to these terms and conditions, and continued membership constitutes acceptance of the amended terms and conditions. 

Your membership of Australian Medical Association Limited (AMA) 

Australian Medical Association Limited (ABN 37 008 426 793) is a company limited by guarantee governed by the Corporations Act. 

Ordinary Members are entitled to vote at general meetings and be appointed to representative roles (see clause 6.3, AMA Constitution).  

If the AMA is wound up, you will be required to contribute a maximum of $2 (see clause 39, AMA Constitution). 

The AMA Constitution may also be amended from time to time. Any amendments require a Special Resolution, and members will be notified of proposed changes in accordance with the Corporations Act.  

Your membership of a State or Territory AMA 

All Ordinary Members of the AMA must also be a member of a State or Territory AMA. 

The State and Territory AMAs are: 

Australian Capital Territory Branch of the Australian Medical Association (ABN 37 008 426 793)

Australian Medical Association (NSW) Limited (ABN 81 000 001 614)

Australian Medical Association (South Australia) Incorporated (ABN 91 028 693 268)

Australian Medical Association (Victoria) Limited (ABN 43 064 447 678)

Australian Medical Association (WA) Incorporated (ABN 63 149 567 245)

Northern Territory Branch of the Australian Medical Association (ABN 37 008 426 793)

Queensland Branch of the Australian Medical Association (ABN 37 008 426 793)

Tasmanian Branch of the Australian Medical Association (ABN 37 008 426 793). 

Personal information 

Your data is held by both the AMA and your local State AMA. If you are a member of ASMOF or TSMPS, we are also legally required to provide them with your membership information. 

The AMA collects, stores, uses, and discloses personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles and its Privacy Policy.  

Eligibility  

Most Ordinary Members of the AMA are registered as a medical practitioner or non-practising medical practitioner with the Medical Board of Australia. 

If you have retired from medical practice, you are still eligible to be an Ordinary Member provided that: 

• at the time of your retirement, you were registered as a medical practitioner under Australian registration legislation; and  

• you have not subsequently been prohibited from being re-registered. 

Member services 

The services available to members vary across State and Territory AMAs and may be subject to additional terms and conditions. 

Please note that generally, you will not be entitled to assistance with any workplace issues that arose:  

• before your membership began; or  

• during any period where your subscriptions are outstanding. 

Subscriptions 

Unless you are a member of a branch, you pay two subscriptions: one to AMA and the other to your local State AMA. Generally, your local State AMA will collect both amounts. 

These subscriptions are set by the Boards of the AMA and your local State AMA. State AMAs set out their subscriptions independently, so the rates vary across jurisdictions. 

The rates may also vary based on: 

• your practice type (GP specialist, non-GP specialist, salaried medical officer, doctor in training, academic); 

• how far you are into your training; and 

• how often you work (retired, part-time, parental leave). 

Subscriptions are calculated annually and, unless we agree otherwise, the full amount is due on or before 1 January of each membership year. We may agree to different payment arrangements subject to the following conditions: 

• new Ordinary Members who do not opt to pay annually may be charged up to three months’ fees upfront. This amount is not refundable in any circumstances; and 

• you acknowledge that you are liable to pay fees for the full 12 months even if you resign or your membership otherwise ceases.  

Memberships are set to automatically renew at the end of the membership period. Members will receive prior communication regarding the upcoming renewal, including a reminder of the auto-renewal process, details of their membership benefits, and any changes to fees or terms.  

Membership fees may be adjusted annually, with notice provided in advance. Continuing your membership constitutes acceptance of the adjusted fees. 

Life membership 

Some State and Territory AMA’s offer reduced or free subscriptions for long term members. The criteria vary across jurisdictions. 

You will still be required to pay a subscription to AMA unless you have been an Ordinary Member of the AMA for an aggregate period of 50 years. 

Unfinancial members 

Members are not entitled to vote at annual general meetings if their annual subscription is more than one month in arrears at the date of the meeting (clause 15.1, AMA Constitution). 

The AMA and/or your local State AMA may also withhold services if you are unfinancial. 

If you pay your AMA subscriptions via your local State AMA, the AMA may also withhold services if it has not received subscriptions in relation to you. If this occurs, the AMA will notify you (clause 6.2, AMA Constitution). 

Continued non-receipt of fees will result in your membership being terminated. You may be required to pay arrears as a condition of reinstatement.  

Other circumstances where your membership may be terminated  

Your membership of AMA will also cease if: 

• you resign; 

• the Medical Board of Australia cancels your registration; or 

• another circumstance in clause 6.4 of the AMA Constitution occurs. 

Your local State AMA’s Constitution may provide for your membership to cease in other circumstances. If you cease to be a member of any State or Territory AMA, your Ordinary Membership of AMA will also cease. 

Any Member who resigns or otherwise ceases to be a Member:  

• is not entitled to any refund (or part refund) of their AMA subscription; and  

• is liable for all subscriptions and moneys which were due to the AMA at the date of ceasing to be a Member (unless the Board of the AMA determines otherwise). 

Depending on the circumstances, your local State AMA may agree to a pro-rata refund of any State or Territory subscriptions you have paid up front (other than the non-refundable initial three-month payment). 

Suspension 

If the Medical Board of Australia suspends your registration, the AMA Board may suspend your membership for the same period. 

Your local State AMA’s Constitution may provide for your membership to be suspended in other circumstances. 

During any period of suspension, you are not entitled to receive any member services. 

Member obligations and conduct 

The AMA Code of Ethics 2016 encourages doctors to: 

• Treat colleagues and student doctors with respect and dignity. 

• Treat other healthcare professionals and students with respect and dignity. 

• Treat patients as individuals, with respect, dignity and compassion in a culturally and linguistically safe and appropriate manner. 

Doctors are also expected to apply these standards to AMA members and the staff and contractors of the AMA and each State and Territory AMA. 

Breaches may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or termination of membership. 

Members must conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the reputation and objectives of the AMA. Disrespectful or harmful behaviour toward the AMA staff, members, or affiliates may result in disciplinary action. 

You may be terminated or suspended if: 

• The Board determines your conduct is derogatory or harmful to the AMA or its objectives. 

• There is an ongoing investigation into alleged misconduct. 

There are also additional obligations that apply where you attend AMA events.