With full time annual membership to Optometry Australia (formerly the Optometrists Association Australia) being around $2,000 (inclusive of professional indemnity insurance) it made me wonder how much other practitioners are paying to be members of their association. The uptake of membership of Optometry Australia has dropped in the last 10 years as the membership fees have approximately doubled. I would be interested to hear practitioner feedback regarding what is happening and whether you think your association membership provides you with the benefits you are looking for.

Exercise & Sports Science Australia

• Student membership – students in the process of completing a minimum AQF level 7 qualification (Bachelor’s degree) in the field of exercise and sports science. This membership is complimentary
• Full membership –graduates of a minimum AQF Level 7 qualification (Bachelor’s degree) AND have completed the equivalent of one full time year of an exercise and sports science qualification AND have completed a minimum of 80 hours industry experience in the exercise and sports science field. The cost is $285.00
• Academic membership – individuals with a 50% appointment at a university or research institution in the area of exercise and sports science. The cost is $142.00
• Associate membership – individuals in other professional fields whose qualifications would not satisfy the criteria for Full membership of ESSA, but whose degree may contribute to the field of exercise and sports science in Australia. The cost is $142.00
• Fellow and Life membership – Full members of ESSA. The application fee for 2016 is $50.00

Joining ESSA as an accredited member will have access to comprehensive professional indemnity and/or public liability insurance.

Australian Medical Association

AMA membership is free for medical students studying in Australia. The monthly membership cost varies depending on the state of practice and the specific categories.

• Full time specialist – ACT: $127.79, NSW: $128.01, NT: $122.34, QLD: $123.00, SA: $125.66, TAS: $123.71, VIC: $115.00
• Full time general practitioners – ACT: $110.94, NSW: $115.00, NT: $122.33, QLD: $122.99, SA: $125.66, TAS: $123.70, VIC: $109.40
• First year after graduation (intern) – ACT: $22.28, NSW: $49.00, NT: $34.66, QLD: $37.66, SA: $27.00, TAS: $31.16, VIC: $34.60
• Second year after graduation – ACT: $27.85, NSW: $53.98, NT: $55.24, QLD: $44.92, SA: $34.49, TAS: $39.13, VIC: $34.50
• Third year after graduation – ACT: $36.36, NSW: $54.01, NT: $57.09, QLD: $51.75, SA: $44.74, TAS: $48.91, VIC: $42.20
• Fourth year after graduation – ACT: $48.08, NSW: $61.01, NT: $61.83, QLD: $62.67, SA: $58.00, TAS: $63.16, VIC: $54.40
• Fifth year after graduation – ACT: $56.00, NSW: $60.99, NT: $63.57, QLD: $74.74, SA: $74.76, TAS: $79.19, VIC: $80.00
• Sixth year or more after graduation – NSW: $70.99,
• Part-time no more than 2 half days per week – ACT: $29.93, NSW: $32.50, QLD: $30.25, SA: $33.01, TAS: $36.94, VIC: $32.20
• Part-time no more than 5 half days per week – ACT: $68.58, NSW: $69.01, NT: $62.34, QLD: $66.76, TAS: $59.65, VIC: $85.70
• Salaried Medical Officer with PP Rights or Specialist Quals – ACT: $123.22, NSW: $128.01, NT: $122.34, SA: $125.66, TAS: $123.71, VIC: $115.00
• Salaried/Career Medical Officer – ACT: $121.50, NSW: $105.00, NT: $109.91, QLD: $123.00, SA: $125.67, TAS: $123.71, VIC: $109.50

Information for AMA Western Australia membership can be accessed directly via the AMA WA website or by telephoning (08) 9273 3055.

Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (Vic Branch)

All financial ANMF (Vic Branch) members receive professional indemnity insurance, including $10 million protection for a negligent act and coverage for legal expenses.

Following are monthly fees for qualified nurses in each classification:

• Registered Nurse – Over 24 hours $55.57 via Bank and $95.47 via Credit Card, 24 hours or less $41.45 via Bank and $71.21 via Credit Card
• Nurse Academic – $17.09 via Bank and $29.37 via Credit Card
• Nurse Unit Manager – Over 24 hours $55.57 via Bank and $95.47 via Credit Card, 24 hours or less $41.45 via Bank and $71.21 via Credit Card
• Enrolled Nurse – Over 24 hours $41.45 via Bank and $71.21 via Credit Card, 24 hours or less $25.50 via Bank and $43.81 via Credit Card
• Registered Nurse Graduate – Over 24 hours $55.57 via Bank and $95.47 via Credit Card, 24 hours or less $41.45 via Bank and $71.21 via Credit Card
• Registered Nurse Masters Graduate – Over 24 hours $55.57 via Bank and $95.47 via Credit Card, 24 hours or less $41.45 via Bank and $71.21 via Credit Card

And for qualified midwives are:

• Registered Midwife – Over 24 hours $55.57 via Bank and $95.47 via Credit Card, 24 hours or less $41.45 via Bank and $71.21 via Credit Card
• Midwife Academic – $17.09 via Bank and $29.37 via Credit Card
• Midwife Unit Manager – Over 24 hours $55.57 via Bank and $95.47 via Credit Card, 24 hours or less $41.45 via Bank and $71.21 via Credit Card
• Registered Midwife Graduate – Over 24 hours $55.57 via Bank and $95.47 via Credit Card, 24 hours or less $41.45 via Bank and $71.21 via Credit Card

Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA)

There are four types of OTA national membership, each period of membership is from 19 October 2016 to 30 June2017.

• Full membership, which available in two options:
  –   Full time for those qualified occupational therapists working for 20 or more hours per week, with cost $490.00
  –   Part time for those qualified occupational therapists working for less than 20 hours per week, with cost $390.00
• Affiliate membership, which is available to qualified occupational therapists who are retired, on family leave or not working who wish to maintain Association involvement and interest, but with reduced member privileges. The cost is $180.00
• New Graduate member, which provides all the benefits of full membership, but at a reduced subscription rate. First application for new graduate membership must be made within 12 months of the date of course completion, and only available for a maximum period of two successive membership cycles. The cost is $345.00
• ⦁ Student membership, available to tertiary students who have not yet completed their entry-level occupational therapy studies. Cost: $60.00

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

Subscription rates for monthly membership are:

• 1st year after completing the pre-registration year: $29.72
• 2nd year after completing the pre-registration year: $38.54
• 3rd year after completing the pre-registration year: $44.43
• 4th year after completing the pre-registration year: $50.31
• Full (completed the intern year more that four years ago): 59.14
• Limited hours (works fewer than the equivalent of 45 days in Australia): $29.72

Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA)

The APA offers a number of membership categories with different eligibility criteria and benefits:

• Full-time, for a registered physiotherapist working on average 18 hours or more per week in any capacity.
  –   Full-time Private Practice Physiotherapist with no insurance, rate: $768
  –   Full-time Private Practice Physiotherapist with insurance, rate: $1,020
  –   Full-time Employed Public Sector with insurance, rate: $748
• Part-time, for a registered physiotherapist working on average less than 18 hours per week in any capacity.
  –   Part-time Private Practice Physiotherapist with no insurance, rate: $576
  –   Part-time Private Practice Physiotherapist with insurance, rate: $748
  –   Part-time Employed Public Sector with insurance, rate: $576
• Reduced, for physiotherapists at varied stages in their career.
  –   Maternity/Paternity Leave with insurance, rate: $420
  –   Overseas more than 6 months with insurance, rate: $420
  –   Postgraduate study with insurance, rate: $420
  –   Financial Hardship with insurance, rate: $420
  –   Non-practising physiotherapist (NPP) with insurance, rate: $420
• Graduate Year 1-4, for a registered physiotherapist who has graduated from a recognised institution within the last four years.
  –   Graduate – Year 1 with insurance, rate: $420
  –   Graduate Private Practice – Year 2 with insurance, rate: $528
  –   Graduate Employee Public – Year 2 with insurance, rate: $444
  –   Graduate Private Practice – Year 3 with insurance, rate: $630
  –   Graduate Employee Public Sector – Year 3 with insurance, rate: $492
  –   Graduate Private Practice – Year 4 with insurance, rate: $732
  –   Graduate Employed Public Sector – Year 4 with insurance, rate: $492
• Student, for a student enrolled in an accredited, entry level course leading to registration as a physiotherapist. Free

Additional membership categories:

• Retired, $48 for for senior members who retired from all paid work, and free for those with 36 years of APA membership and over the age of 55
• Physiotherapy assistants with no insurance, rate: $108
• Associate member with insurance, rate: $420
• Affiliate subscriber with no insurance, rate: $108
• Honoured member, life member, and paid-for-life member. All free.

Australian Psychological Society

Membership subscriptions vary depending on the grade and date of application.

• Member, available to people who have completed a six-year sequence of study in psychology, or through other non-standard routes. Subscription fees for those joining between:
  –   11 Feb 2016 – 31 May 2016: $310 (new graduate), $465 (recent graduate), $620 (member)
  –   1 June 2016 – 10 Aug 2016: $310 (new graduate), $465 (recent graduate), $620 (member)
  –   11 Aug 2016 – 10 Nov 2016: $232.5 (new graduate), $348.75 (recent graduate), $465 (member)
  –   11 Nov 2016 – 10 Feb 2017 $155.00 (new graduate) $232.5 (recent graduate), $310 (member)
  –   11 Feb 2017 – 31 May 2017: $310 (new graduate), $465 (recent graduate), $620 (member)
• Associate member, available to those who have completed an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four-year sequence of study in psychology. Subscription fees for those joining between:
  –   11 Feb 2016 – 31 May 2016: $310 (new graduate), $465 (associate member)
  –   1 June 2016 – 10 Aug 2016: $310 (new graduate), $465 (associate member)
  –   11 Aug 2016 – 10 Nov 2016: $232.5 (new graduate), $348.75 (associate member)
  –   11 Nov 2016 – 10 Feb 2017 $155.00 (new graduate) $232.5 (associate member)
  –   11 Feb 2017 – 31 May 2017: $310 (new graduate), $465 (associate member)
• Student subscriber, available to students who are currently studying in an accredited tertiary course in psychology or a postgraduate research degree in psychology. Subscription fees are flat, $85 for all the joining date throughout the year.

More articles on My Health Career:

• How Young Health Professionals Can Manage Lifestyle Creep – by Financial Planner Yves Schoof
• Do you need mentoring after graduating?
• AHPRA applications for graduates

Image: David Castillo Dominici – freedigitalphotos.net