Membership Terms and Conditions

1. About these Terms

1.1 These Terms and Conditions (Terms) govern membership of Patients Australia Limited ABN 25 146 474 688 (Patients Australia, we, us, our). They apply to all members, paid and free.

1.2 By submitting a membership application through our online form at https://www.patients.org.au/patient-membership, you agree to these Terms and to the Constitution of Patients Australia Limited (Constitution).

1.3 These Terms summarise key provisions of the Constitution in plain language. If there is any inconsistency between these Terms and the Constitution, the Constitution prevails. The Constitution is available at https://www.patients.org.au/about-us.

2. About Patients Australia

2.1 Patients Australia is a not-for-profit public company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. Our purposes are to advocate on behalf of patients on issues relevant to health, to assist patients in being educated about the Australian healthcare system, and to support relevant research which may improve patients' lives in Australia.

2.2 As a not-for-profit, we do not distribute income or assets to members.

3. Membership Categories

3.1 The Board determines the categories of membership and the rights, privileges and obligations attaching to each category. There are currently two categories:

(a) Paid Member: an annual membership fee applies. Paid Members are voting members and hold one vote each at general meetings.

(b) Free Member: no fee applies. Free Members are non-voting members.

3.2 The Board may establish or vary membership categories, eligibility criteria, and the rights and obligations of each category from time to time. The Register of Members records the category applicable to each member.

4. Applying for Membership

4.1 Membership is open to individuals and organisations who support the purposes of Patients Australia.

4.2 To apply, complete and submit the online application form, selecting your membership category and paying any fee applicable to that category.

4.3 By submitting an application, you:

(a) confirm your support for the purposes of Patients Australia;

(b) agree to comply with the Constitution, including the member guarantee described in clause 8.3 of these Terms;

(d) confirm that the information you have provided is accurate and complete.

(c) fail to pay a required membership fee within one month after it falls due, or any later time the Directors determine;

(d) do not respond within three months to a written request from the Secretary asking you to confirm in writing that you wish to remain a member; or

(e) are expelled under the Constitution.

5. Approval and When Membership Starts

5.1 The Directors will consider your application within a reasonable time. The Directors may approve or reject an application and are not required to give reasons if an application is rejected.

5.2 You become a member when your name is entered on the Register of Members.

6. Membership Fees and Renewal

6.1 The annual fee for Paid Membership is currently $60.00, payable in advance. The Directors may vary membership fees from time to time, and the current fee is displayed on our membership page.

6.2 A Paid Member who has not paid the required fee may not exercise any membership rights, including voting rights, until the fee is paid.

6.3 If your fee remains unpaid one month after it falls due, your membership will cease unless the Directors determine a later time.

6.4 All fees are in Australian dollars. Except as required by law or as the Board otherwise determines, membership fees are not refundable.

7. Your Rights as a Member

7.1 All members are entitled to:

(a) inspect the Register of Members; and

(b) access minutes and records of general meetings, members' resolutions, notices of general meetings and members' statements, as set out in the Constitution.

7.2 Paid Members are additionally entitled to:

(a) receive notice of, attend, speak and vote at general meetings, with one vote per member;

(b) appoint a proxy to attend and vote on their behalf, in accordance with the Constitution;

(c) together with other members holding at least 5% of the votes that may be cast, request a general meeting or give notice of a proposed resolution or members' statement, in accordance with the Constitution; and

(d) nominate candidates for election as a Director and stand for election, subject to the eligibility requirements in the Constitution.

7.3 Free Members are entitled to receive member communications and to participate in Patients Australia activities as determined by the Board, but are not entitled to vote at general meetings.

8. Your Obligations as a Member

8.1 As a member, you agree to:

(a) comply with the Constitution, these Terms, and any policies approved by the Board that apply to members;

(b) keep your contact details up to date by notifying us of any changes;

(d) only use information accessed from the Register of Members in a manner relevant to the interests or rights of members.

8.2 Notices from Patients Australia will generally be sent to the email or postal address recorded for you on the Register of Members.

8.3 Member guarantee. Patients Australia is a company limited by guarantee. Each member guarantees to contribute up to $20.00 to the property of the company if it is wound up while they are a member, or within 12 months after they cease to be a member, in the circumstances set out in the Constitution. This is the limit of each member's liability.ved, notify the Directors and attempt in good faith to settle the dispute by mediation.

9. Your Personal Information

9.1 We collect the information you provide in your application to maintain the Register of Members, which we are required by law to keep. The Register records each member's name, address, telephone number, email address, membership category, fee payment dates and the date membership started.

9.2 Details of former members remain on the Register for seven years after membership ends, as required by the Constitution.

9.3 Members may inspect the Register of Members. Information accessed from the Register must only be used in a manner relevant to the interests or rights of members.

9.4 We handle personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, available here: https://www.patients.org.au/privacy-policy.

10. Membership is Personal

10.1 Membership and its associated rights cannot be transferred or sold.

11. Ending Your Membership

11.1 You may resign at any time by writing to the Secretary at hello@patients.org.au.

11.2 Your membership ends automatically if you:

(a) die;

(b) fail to pay a required membership fee within one month after it falls due, or any later time the Directors determine;

(c) do not respond within three months to a written request from the Secretary asking you to confirm in writing that you wish to remain a member; or

(d) are expelled under the Constitution.

11.3 If you are expelled, you remain liable for all obligations and liabilities of membership for six months after the date of the Board resolution to expel you, and you must immediately pay any outstanding amounts you owe to Patients Australia.11.4 The member guarantee in clause 8.3 continues for 12 months after you cease to be a member.

12. Membership Conduct, discipline and disputes

12.1 The Directors may warn, suspend (for up to 12 months) or expel a member if they consider the member has breached the Constitution, or that the member's behaviour is causing, has caused, or is likely to cause harm to Patients Australia.

12.2 Before any such decision is made, you will receive at least 14 days written notice setting out what you are said to have done or not done and the proposed resolution, and you will be given the opportunity to respond in writing and/or by speaking at the relevant Board meeting. You will be notified of the decision in writing as soon as possible. The Directors cannot fine a member.12.3 Disputes under the Constitution between members, Directors and Patients Australia are handled under the dispute resolution procedure in the Constitution. Those involved must first attempt to resolve the dispute between themselves within 14 days, and if unresolved, notify the Directors and attempt in good faith to settle the dispute by mediation.

13. Changes to Membership and these Terms

13.1 The Board may vary membership categories, fees, eligibility criteria, and the rights and obligations attaching to each category in accordance with the Constitution.13.2 We may update these Terms from time to time. The current version will be published on our website and applies from its date of publication. Changes to these Terms do not reduce any rights conferred on members by the Constitution.

14. General

14.1 These Terms are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia.

14.2 Questions about membership can be sent to hello@patients.org.au.