Become a member
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 is 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.
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.
Universities wishing to engage with ACFID through The Research for Development Impact Network are encouraged to consider Affiliate Membership as a way to strengthen their collaboration with ACFID Members.
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 | $7,120 |
2 ($40,000,000 – $99,999,999) | $35,000 | $300,000 | $40,000,000 | $5,336 |
3 ($10,000,000 – $39,999,999) | $25,000 | $240,000 | $10,000,000 | $4,443 |
4 ($5,000,000 – $9,999,999) | $18,000 | $20,000 | $5,000,000 | $3,559 |
5 ($2,500,000 – $4,999,999) | $10,000 | $10,000 | $2,500,000 | $2,674 |
6 ($1,000,000 – $2,499,999) | $5,000 | $8,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,140 |
7 ($500,000 – $999,999) | $3,000 | $6,000 | $500,000 | $1,775 |
8 ($200,000 – $499,999) | $1,500 | $5,000 | $200,000 | $1,430 |
9 ($0 – $199,999) | A flat fee of $800 | $1,074 | ||
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 (6.1%) for 2021 + 1.0% per annum, therefore the 2022-23 increase to Code fees is 7.1%
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.
The basic process consists of:
- An eligibility check where we require to see a variety of business related documents.
- If eligible, payment of a $500 (plus gst) application fee
- Completion of an online application form
- Completion of a full Code Self Assessment
- When deemed compliant, your organisation will go before our Membership Admissions Committee, the Code of Conduct Committee and then the ACFID Board.
- 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.
- You will then be required to pay your first annual membership fee.
Guidelines
Our Application guidelines are currently under review. They are due for release late May 2023
To apply to become a member, potential applicants (both full and affiliate) must first read the ACFID Membership Application Guidelines:
 TBA
For universities that wish to become ACFID Affiliate Members, please refer to the University Affiliate Guidelines:
 TBA
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
Our application process and guidelines are currently in review.Â
All applications will be received through our new application portal which is due to be released at the end of May 2023. For more detailed information on the process, please contact Raewyn Lans via [email protected]Â
Due dates for applications
Please note:
- Affiliate member applications can be made at any time of the year.
- Â 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.
Full member Application Round 2 2023
- Applications Due: 29 July 2023
- 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 for the 2023 applications