For some time, the AILA National Board has been considering introducing more flexible and financially attractive membership options to support renewal by existing members and encourage new membership.

With these objectives in mind, AILA undertook a survey during the national conference in Queensland last September and, having reviewed the responses, the Board was encouraged to consider a range of membership options.

One consistent theme was for AILA to introduce corporate membership, which I am pleased to announce the Association has now done.

You would no doubt be aware of this initiative when you received your annual membership renewal.

AILA has introduced State and National Corporate membership for 2009-10 and also introduced Associate and student memberships, plus a two-year renewal option for individual members.

These are all designed to accommodate AILA's perse membership and encourage membership in regional and remote areas, and among students.

The membership options are now:

• Individual - standard membership
• Two-year individual
• State corporate - for seven or more members within the same state/territory (all membership or renewal forms must be submitted together to be eligible)
• National corporate - for 20 or more members in more than one state/territory (all membership or renewal forms must be submitted together to be eligible)
• Associate - available to regional (outside capital cities) and international members
• Student - available to individuals enrolled in a full-time undergraduate programme at a tertiary institution

AILA was established in 1983, making 2009 the 26th anniversary year. This is a significant achievement and one of which we are justifiably proud.

AILA would not be here today if it were not for the support of members who enable AILA to develop from strength to strength as a well-established, pre-eminent insurance law educational organisation.

AILA is passionate about insurance law. We will continue to provide informative, relevant seminars.

I am pleased that feedback we have received from members tells us AILA is well respected, appeals to a wide audience of insurers, and is regarded as the leading industry association concerned with the laws that govern and impact on insurance issues.

AILA appeals to a perse audience and is well recognised for providing leading academic-level presentations and seminars on insurance matters.

We continue to develop close relationships with other insurance-related organisations, such as the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance.

I am delighted to announce that 2009 sees the establishment of several AILA-sponsored prizes for ANZIIF students in insurance law subjects. The prizes have been introduced to encourage the attainment of excellence in insurance law education.

Other AILA membership benefits include quarterly editions of AILA News, discounted rates to attend educational and business sessions and the ability to network with others interested in insurance issues.

In additional to the membership changes, the Board is currently working on introducing member-only access to online publications on insurance law spanning AILA's 26 years.

This will enable access to a vast library of first-class insurance law papers presented over the years at State events and National conferences.

I urge members to renew their membership promptly to enable AILA to continue to provide a high standard of membership services.

If you know someone who is interested in joining AILA, please visit the membership area of the website or contact the national office on 03 9899 5382 or

Chris Rodd

AILA President