APS Membership Terms and Conditions

Updated April 2025

The following terms and conditions apply to all members of The Australian Psychological Society Limited ABN 23 000 543 788 (APS) unless specified. It sets out member rights, APS’ commitment to members, and member responsibilities to the APS, together with where members should seek assistance if required.

These Terms and Conditions apply for the 2025-2026 membership year and beyond, unless otherwise superseded.

1. Constitution

All Members of the APS are bound by the Constitution and Code of Ethics and any other rules or regulations adopted by the APS. (Copies of the above documents are available on the APS website. In the event of any inconsistency, the Constitution will prevail. 

2. APS Membership Subscriptions

2.1 APS membership year

The APS membership year runs from 1 June to 31 May.

2.2 Payment methods

The APS offers two options for payment of the annual membership subscription fees:

• One-off total payment in full; or
• Monthly instalment payments by direct debit.

One-off Payment

Payment may be made by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, electronic funds transfer. Other forms of credit or debit cards will not be accepted. A one-off total annual membership subscription fee will be payable upon applying for membership or seeking renewal or reinstatement of membership.

One-off total payments in full are due by 30 June in the membership year or upon applying for membership or for renewal or reinstatement of membership.

Monthly instalment payments

APS members may choose the monthly instalment plan. An initial payment is made upon renewing, and the remaining balance is split equally by the remaining months in the membership year. Monthly Direct Debit can be set up using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or a direct debit from a bank account.

2.3 Non-payment of membership subscription fees

Any member of the APS whose subscription remains unpaid as of 30 June will not have access to services or benefits until payment is made in full (excludes those on a monthly payment plan).

APS members who have chosen to pay their annual membership subscription fees by monthly instalments must ensure that all payments are completed, and the total annual membership subscription fees have been paid by the end of the membership year (31 May). If a member chooses to resign their membership prior to 31 May, the balance of their annual membership subscription fees—meaning all remaining monthly instalments—will remain due and payable. Please note that for members on Stripe payment plans, instalments cannot be cancelled mid-cycle, and the full remaining amount will be charged as scheduled.

An APS member may be removed from the register of members in accordance with Clause 40 of the Constitution for non-payment of membership subscription fees.

2.4. Membership fee discounts

The APS has discretion to reduce the amount of the annual membership fee for certain members in particular circumstances. Refer to Membership fee reductions for more information.

It is the responsibility of the member to notify the APS if their situation changes and they are no longer eligible for or no longer require a reduction.

It is the policy of the APS to stop accepting applications for fee reductions for renewing members five weeks before the APS Annual General Meeting. The APS will reject applications after that date.

3. Applying to join or reinstate your APS membership

The APS reviews applications for membership in accordance with the Constitution and retains discretion on whether to approve applications. To maximise the applicant’s opportunity to be approved as a member, the applicant should provide requested supporting documentation immediately following the submission of their application.

3.1. Supporting documentation
If supporting documentation is required, it must be submitted within three (3) months of the date of application. If supporting documentation is not supplied within that time, the application will be rejected.

3.2. Payment at time of application
At the time of application to join or re-join the APS as a former member, the APS requires the applicant to tender the full annual membership fees. 

3.3. Rejected / withdrawn applications
Except for Student Subscriber Member applications, if an application is rejected or withdrawn, a refund will be arranged for the amount paid, less a $115.00 processing fee. 

In the case of withdrawn applications to join as a Student Subscriber, no refund will be paid. The processing fee is the amount paid. 

3.4. Reinstatement amount payable
If a lapsed or ex-member seek to reinstate their membership in the same APS membership year during which their membership lapsed, they must pay the total relevant annual membership fee or their outstanding balance for the full APS membership year.

4. Changing membership grade

Members eligible to change grades do not pay any difference between the rate of the previous grade and the rate of new grade at the time of changing their membership grade. In the year in which a change in grade occurs, direct debit amounts are not adjusted to reflect the change in membership grade.

5. Resigning your APS membership

In accordance with the Constitution, a member may resign membership of the APS, by sending a notice to the registered office of the APS. Where the notice of resignation does not include a resignation date, membership will cease at the conclusion of the membership year. The notice may be sent by email to [email protected] or write to Membership, Australian Psychological Society, PO Box 38, Flinders Lane VIC 8009.

If a member chooses to resign prior to 31 May, the member is not entitled to a refund of the annual membership subscription (either in whole or in part, and inclusive of College membership/s and subscriptions including Interest Group/s, Journals and Databases, Find A Psychologist service). For members who have chosen to pay their annual membership subscriptions by monthly instalment, all remaining monies will be due and payable upon resignation.

6. Transferring APS membership

APS memberships are individual and are non-transferable.

7. Previous membership fees

The APS does not provide refunds for previous years’ membership fees under any circumstances. APS membership is optional and is paid on an annual basis. There is no obligation on psychologists to hold APS membership. Individuals choose to hold APS membership each year.

8. Enquiries

Please direct all enquiries relating to payment of your APS membership fees via 1800 333 497 or by email to [email protected] or write to Membership, Australian Psychological Society, Level 11, 257 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.

9. Privacy

APS members personal information will be collected and managed in accordance with the APS Privacy Policy. The APS Privacy Policy can be viewed here.

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APS Direct Debit Service Agreement

This is your Direct Debit Request Service Agreement with the Australian Psychological Society Limited (ABN 23 000 543 788) (Agreement). It sets out your obligations in undertaking a direct debit arrangement with us. The agreement forms part of the terms and conditions of your direct debit request.

1. Authorising payment
Members who elect to pay by direct debit authorise the APS to deduct their membership fee from their nominated debit/credit card or bank account

2. Direct debit payment dates

The initial payment will be deducted on the date a member joins or renews. After this:

New members who join the APS on a direct debit membership plan (via the Braintree and Ezidebit payment gateways) will have the remaining balance (the annual membership fee minus the initial payment) split into monthly direct debit payments. These are processed on the 15th of each month. 

Renewing members on a direct debit membership plan (via the Stripe payment gateway) will make an initial payment covering the months already elapsed in the membership year at the time of renewal. The remaining balance is then split into monthly direct debit payments, processed on the 1st of each month.

3. Non-payment of fee by direct debit
If a member’s debit/credit card payment fails, a maximum of eight (8) reattempts will be done within the duration of three (3) weeks from the 1^st of the month. Where a direct debit payment remains unpaid, it is the responsibility of the member to arrange for the payment to be made. Members can settle outstanding invoices via the Payment Portal. After a member has settled an outstanding invoice or reinstated it can take up to three (3) business days for their access to be restored. The APS may cancel a direct debit arrangement if two monthly payments remain outstanding. If a direct debit arrangement has been cancelled, the remaining outstanding balance is due and payable in full. A lapsed member will not have access to APS membership services or benefits, including member-only pages of the website, and may not use any APS post-nominal or claim to be an APS member.

4. Changes to the direct debit arrangement
Once a payment method is selected, it cannot be changed for the remainder of the membership year. Members on monthly instalments may update their payment details (e.g. card or account information) via the portal, but the payment frequency and method remain fixed.

5. Your responsibility on direct debit
You must ensure that:

• Your nominated debit/credit card or bank account can accept direct debits (your financial institution can confirm this)
• On the scheduled payment date there are sufficient cleared funds for the nominated amount.
• You advise the APS if the nominated account is transferred or closed.
• If your payment is refused or dishonoured by your financial institution, you are responsible for any fees and/or interest your financial institution may charge you.

6. Disputes