ASA Membership Information

Categories of Membership

The different categories of ASA membership, and the annual fees (local/overseas), are as follows:

Honorary Fellow
(no annual fee) The ASA Council may elect a person an Honorary Fellow to recognise distinguished contributions to the promotion or extension of the knowledge of astronomy, in particular service to the Society. A list of all Honorary Fellows to date is available here.

Fellow (FASA)

(local-A$135/overseas-A$120/
retirees-same as student rate) A Fellow is a person with an established record in astronomical research, usually having at least 8 to 10 years of postdoctoral experience and having been a primary contributor to at least 10 well-regarded research papers in refereed astronomical journals. Fellows of the ASA are entitled to use the initials FASA after their names. Those wishing to transfer from Member to Fellow can do so using the usual Membership Application Form (pdf).

Full Member (MASA)

(local-A$110/overseas-A$100/
retirees-same as student rate) Ph.D. graduates (or equivalent) in astronomy, or others who have contributed to the advancement of astronomy through research or education may be elected Full Members. Winners of the Society's Page Medal and others invited by Council may also be Full Members. Full Members of the ASA are entitled to use the initials MASA after their names.

Student Member

(local-A$50/overseas-A$45) Undergraduate (usually Honours) or Graduate students working towards a degree in astronomy or a related subject may be Student Members while they remain students.

Associate Member

(local-A$50/overseas-A$45) Educators, science communicators, or others such as distinguished amateur astronomers, who have a demonstrated dedication to the advancement of astronomy may be elected as Associate Members.

Associate Society Member

(local-A$100/overseas-A$90) Any society that has demonstrated a dedication to the advancement of astronomy may be elected as an Associate Society Member.

Corporate Member

(local-A$370/overseas-A$335) Any registered company, institution, association or other organisation may become corporate Members of the Society. Current Corporate Members are:

Anglo-Australian Observatory

Astronomy Australia Limited

Australia Telescope National Facility

Australian Antarctic Division

Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Australian National University

Swinburne Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing

The Science Foundation for Physics (University of Sydney)

All grades of Members other than Associates, Associate Societies and Students are entitled to vote in Society Ballots. All grades of member other than Associates receive the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia (PASA) as a privilege of membership. Associate Members may purchase a subscription to PASA at reduced cost (A$40).

Discounts

Prompt payment discount - for payment of annual fees prior to the end of February in the year they are due - $11 for all classes of membership.
Members within Australia pay GST on their membership. Overseas members do not pay GST and fees are therefore about 10% less (rounded).
AIP discount - for members of the Australian Institute of Physics - 10% off the GST-inclusive fee (rounded) for all classes of membership if paid prior to the end of February in the year they are due.
Retirees discount - for retired Members and Fellows - fee equal to the Student membership fee.

Contact the Treasurer for further details.

Note also that members receive discounted Registration at the Annual Scientific Meeting and certain other privileges are restricted to members of the Society. See the Benefits of Membership for more information.

Benefits of Membership

The ASA is the professional body representing Australian astronomers and we would hope all eligible astronomers will choose to join, along with many other suitably qualified people working for the advancement of astronomy in Australia and internationally. Membership brings certain advantages descibed in the Benefits of Membership.

Membership Applications

Anyone wishing to join the ASA must submit an application for membership and be recommended by two Fellows or Full members. Applications for Fellowship also require a brief CV. The Membership Application Form is available on-line as a PDF document which may be printed and forwarded by fax or post to the Secretary.

Annual fees should be paid to the Treasurer once your application has been processed and you receive an invoice for the fees.

Change of Address

Members wishing to change their address information can use the on-line change of address form, or email the Secretary.

Honorary Fellow (no annual fee)	The ASA Council may elect a person an Honorary Fellow to recognise distinguished contributions to the promotion or extension of the knowledge of astronomy, in particular service to the Society. A list of all Honorary Fellows to date is available here.
Fellow (FASA) (local-A$135/overseas-A$120/ retirees-same as student rate)	A Fellow is a person with an established record in astronomical research, usually having at least 8 to 10 years of postdoctoral experience and having been a primary contributor to at least 10 well-regarded research papers in refereed astronomical journals. Fellows of the ASA are entitled to use the initials FASA after their names. Those wishing to transfer from Member to Fellow can do so using the usual Membership Application Form (pdf).
Full Member (MASA) (local-A$110/overseas-A$100/ retirees-same as student rate)	Ph.D. graduates (or equivalent) in astronomy, or others who have contributed to the advancement of astronomy through research or education may be elected Full Members. Winners of the Society's Page Medal and others invited by Council may also be Full Members. Full Members of the ASA are entitled to use the initials MASA after their names.
Student Member (local-A$50/overseas-A$45)	Undergraduate (usually Honours) or Graduate students working towards a degree in astronomy or a related subject may be Student Members while they remain students.
Associate Member (local-A$50/overseas-A$45)	Educators, science communicators, or others such as distinguished amateur astronomers, who have a demonstrated dedication to the advancement of astronomy may be elected as Associate Members.
Associate Society Member (local-A$100/overseas-A$90)	Any society that has demonstrated a dedication to the advancement of astronomy may be elected as an Associate Society Member.
Corporate Member (local-A$370/overseas-A$335)	Any registered company, institution, association or other organisation may become corporate Members of the Society. Current Corporate Members are: Anglo-Australian Observatory Astronomy Australia Limited Australia Telescope National Facility Australian Antarctic Division Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Australian National University Swinburne Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing The Science Foundation for Physics (University of Sydney)


		For information on all aspects of Astronomy in Australia visit the ASA's Australian Astronomy web site, featuring extensive links to astronomical research and teaching, public education facilities, amateur astronomy and other astronomical activities in Australia.