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Become a member

ACFID Membership

As the COVID-19 virus began to spread across Indonesia, Caritas Australia, and its local partner, Laz Harfa, pivoted its program in the country to strengthen COVID-19 response in vulnerable communities in the Banten province. Arsad and his wife, Tarsini, received hygiene and financial management training, so that they are better prepared to withstand the impacts of the pandemic. Photo: Caritas Australia.

ACFID unites Australia’s non-government aid and international development organisations to strengthen their collective impact against poverty.
Joining ACFID means more than simply becoming a member – it means joining an experienced and powerful mix of like-minded organisations committed to good international development practice.

As a member of ACFID, your organisation will enjoy access to decision-makers and to information, networks, training and resources of unmatched quality, which only decades of proven experience in international development can bring.

Download this brochure for more information, or watch our members in the video below discuss why they value membership with ACFID.

Membership types

ACFID has two types of organisational membership: Full Membership and Affiliate Membership. You cannot gain membership to ACFID as an individual.

Full Membership

Full Membership is open to Australian NGOs actively working in the international aid and development sector and/or related services in Australia. Activities that directly constitute work in this area include supporting projects overseas, advocacy and campaigning, development education and humanitarian/emergency assistance.

Organisations must be signatories to the ACFID Code of Conduct to become Full Members. Becoming a signatory to the Code can be done as part of the application process. If you are an NGO that is eligible for Full membership but decide NOT to take this up, you cannot choose to be an Affiliate member instead.

Full Members are:

  • Entitled to the full range of member benefits, including participation in networking events and access to industry-focused training and development programs
  • Able to participate in committees and working groups of ACFID
  • Entitled to attend the AGM
  • Entitled to vote at the AGM, provided that they have paid their membership fees at the time of the meeting
  • Entitled to nominate a person for election to the Executive Committee.

Affiliate Membership

Affiliate Membership is open to Australian organisations and institutions that share ACFID’s vision and wish to work with Australian NGOs through joint advocacy, research, information provision, training, funding or other services.

Affiliate Membership is only open to organisations and institutions that are ineligible for Full Membership. Eligibility under these criteria is at the discretion of the ACFID Executive Committee.

Affiliates can choose whether or not to become signatories to the ACFID Code of Conduct. Those Affiliates who do choose to become signatories will be expected to prepare additional documents as part of the application process.

Full Members are:

  • Entitled to attend the AGM
  • Entitled to speak at the AGM, if invited by the Chair
  • Able to participate in committees and working groups of ACFID.

Affiliate Membership for Universities

The Research for Development Impact Network started as a collaboration between ACFID Member NGOs and Australian universities. The network is based upon a collective desire to widen the debate on international development and to strengthen collaboration between academics and members of ACFID. It is currently undergoing a change and more information will be available soon. 

For ACFID and ACFID Members, universities represent valuable partners with whom we can increase our collective impact against poverty and enhance the sector’s capacity for development effectiveness and research.

For universities, ACFID offers a valuable platform to establish industry partners in the aid and development sector, increasing the impact and applicability of teaching and research conducted in the university.

If you would like any more information on ACFID membership, please contact us.

Membership fees

The fees payable by a member are related to the total annual funds disbursed to overseas projects, other project costs and community education as set down in the Quality Assurance Framework which supports the ACFID Code of Conduct (see Financial Definitions).

This figure determines which of the nine groups the member falls into, from which the fees can be calculated using the following table.

Please note that the figures below do not include GST.

ACFID Annual fees 2022-23

Membership Category

(Based on disbursements to international programs, program support costs and community education)

Membership Fees Code Fees
Base Fee +$25 for every Over Add to Membership Fee
1 ($100,000,000+) $50,000 $500,000 $100,000,000 $7,619
2 ($40,000,000 – $99,999,999) $35,000 $300,000 $40,000,000 $5,710
3 ($10,000,000 – $39,999,999) $25,000 $240,000 $10,000,000 $4,754
4 ($5,000,000 – $9,999,999) $18,000 $20,000 $5,000,000 $3,809
5 ($2,500,000 – $4,999,999) $10,000 $10,000 $2,500,000 $2,862
6 ($1,000,000 – $2,499,999) $5,000 $8,000 $1,000,000 $2,290
7 ($500,000 – $999,999) $3,000 $6,000 $500,000 $1,900
8 ($200,000 – $499,999) $1,500 $5,000 $200,000 $1,530
9 ($0 – $199,999) A flat fee of $800 $1,149
Affiliates A discounted fee of 75% of the Base Fee for their respective category
(no other calculations required)
Full fee applies if organisation is a Code Signatory Organisation

Note: Code fees are indexed as CPI (6.0%) for 2023 + 1.0% per annum, therefore the 2023-24 increase to Code fees is 7.0%

Apply to become a member

Are you interested in becoming a member of ACFID? The purpose of the application process for ACFID membership is to enable potential applicants to make an informed decision about whether to join ACFID, and for ACFID to make an informed decision about whether to accept the application.

All applications are now completed in our new online portal. Details on how to access this are in the FAQs document below.

The basic process for Full Membership consists of:

  1. An eligibility check where we require to see a variety of business related documents.
  2. If eligible, payment of a $500 (plus gst) application fee
  3. Completion of an online application form
  4. Completion of a full Code Self Assessment
  5. When deemed compliant, your organisation will go before our Membership Admissions Committee, the Code of Conduct Committee and then the ACFID Board.
  6. If successful, you will become Interim Full Members (entitled to all our member benefits), up until our next Annual General Meeting when you will be ratified by the ACFID Council and formally become Full Members.
  7. You will then be required to pay your first annual membership fee.

***IMPORTANT – Steps 1 to 4 MUST all be completed prior to the submission round closing dates

 

Applying for Affiliate membership is less intensive.

Please read the Membership Application Guidelines (for both Full and Affiliate membership) and FAQs document found in the section below.

Guidelines

It is important that all interested organisations read our Membership Application Guidelines and FAQs document BEFORE starting an application.

Membership Application Guidelines 2023

Membership Application FAQs

These guidelines provide:

  • An overview of the membership application process, including its purpose and principles
  • A description of ACFID membership categories, including eligibility criteria, rights and obligations
  • A step-by-step guide to applying for membership, including descriptions of the documents required on application and how to submit an application
  • Details on the assessment process and timeframes for application approval

Due dates for applications

Please note:

  • Affiliate member applications can be made at any time of the year.
  •  The timeline below is indicative of an organisation that requires minimal resubmission on their CSA. The application process for FULL MEMBERS can take between 3 and 12 months, sometimes longer.
  • It is advisable to commence your application months prior to the application round closing dates to enable you to complete all the steps.

Full member Application Round 2 2023

  • CLOSED

Full member Application Round 1 2024

  • Applications Due: 31 Jan 2024
  • Assessment and remedial work (3 months – 12 months)
  • Membership Admissions Committee – Meets 4 times a year

Please contact the Member and Stakeholder Lead, Raewyn Lans for information on preparing your application

For more information on members, read:

About

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Annual Report 2022-23

Reporting on ACFID’s activities to ensure transparency and accountability

ACFID

ACFID is the peak body for Australian NGOs involved in international development and humanitarian action.

Our PARTNERSHIPS

ACFID works and engages with a range of strategic partners in addition to our members.

GOVERNANCE

ACFID is governed by its Board, ACFID Council, and various expert and governance committees.

Members

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Conference 2023

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT 2.0
disruptive dynamics, inspired ideas

18-19 October 2023

Meet our Members

The ACFID membership is comprised of Australian NGOs that actively work in the international aid and development sector.

Become a member

Joining ACFID means joining an experienced and powerful mix of like-minded organisations committed to good international development practice.

Membership types & fees

ACFID has two types of organisational membership: Full Membership and Affiliate Membership.

State of the Sector

The State of the Sector Report provides a comprehensive and robust analysis of the state of the Australian aid and development sector.

NGO Aid Map

ACFID’s NGO Aid Map allows the Australian public and stakeholders to explore the work of ACFID Members around the world.

Development Practice Committee

The DPC is an expert advisory group of development practitioners leading good practice within the sector.

Our Focus

Four men paint a colourful mural

Federal Budget 23-24 Analysis

Facts and figures on how aid is presented in this year’s annual budget

Strategic Plan

ACFID prioritises a robust response to climate change and pressure on civil society in developing countries, as well as other key priorities.

Emergency Aid

ACFID Members provide vital life-saving assistance in the immediate aftermath of an emergency.

Climate Change

Action on climate change is one of ACFID’s highest priorities, as it is an existential threat to humanity and our development.

Civil Society

Civil societies are a cornerstone of regional stability and ensure that the voices of the marginalised are heard.

Supporting NGOS

Supporting NGOs as Valuable Partners.

Inclusive & locally led development

Walking the talk on inclusive development.

Humanitarian Action

Taking humanitarian action for those in greatest need.

Elevating Development

Elevating Development to the Heart of Australia’s International Engagement.

PSEAH

Improving standards, practice and culture to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Code of Conduct

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2022-23 ACFID Code of Conduct Review

The ACFID Code of Conduct is periodically reviewed to ensure it continues to reflect good practice and the needs of ACFID and its members.

Code of Conduct

The Code is a voluntary, self-regulatory industry code of good practice.

About the Code

Find out more about the Code of Conduct and how it operates.

Good Practice Toolkit

Overview and practical resources, and examples to support the implementation of the Code.

Spotlight on the Code

Provides a thematic ‘deep dive’ into each of the nine Quality Principles in the Code

Compliance

This section outlines the responsibility to be taken by each Member to ensure compliance with the Code.

Complaints Handling

How to make a complaint and information on the Code’s independent mechanism to address concerns relating to an ACFID Members’ conduct.

Other Standards

Mapping the Code with other professional standards and principles in the humanitarian and aid sector in Australia and internationally

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