Whether you are starting out in the food industry, or have many years of experience and knowledge, AIFST membership will bring great benefits to you both professionally and personally.
As the food industry continues to evolve, your membership helps keep you up to date and in touch with industry information, while furthering your professional development as part of the food industry. Our difference is your advantage.
Am I eligible to join?
You are eligible to join if you fall under any of the below categories:
- You have an active interest in Food Science and Technology;
- You are actively engaged in the food industry;
- You are interested in the AIFST and wish to further your understanding of the Industry;
- You are engaged in study relating to Food Science and Technology.
Classes of membership
Membership of the Institute is open to all members of the food and allied industries. The Institute is a professional body and strives to maintain its professional standards by ensuring adherence to certain membership criteria for its highest levels of membership. Grades of membership are as follows.
Fellow
Professional Members may apply to become fellows of the Institute if they meet all criteria (a), (b), (c) and (d), that is:
- have given outstanding service in at least one of: 1. research and development leading to creation of new knowledge 2. technology transfer and education 3. development of the food industry including promotion of its ethical standards and public image; AND
- have been a Professional Member of the Institute 1. for at least ten years; or 2. for at least three years, and a professional member of an equivalent institution involved with food science and technology for a period of time, such that total professional membership is no less than ten years; AND
- have contributed to the profession of food science and technology through development of the affairs of the Institute or an equivalent professional body; AND
- have been proposed by a Fellow and supported by another two Fellows.
The above members may use FAIFST after their names.
A separate application form is required for Fellows: Download Fellow Nomination Form »
Fellows, Honorary Fellow, Professional Members have full voting rights, may be office bearers of the Institute, and can nominate applicants for membership.
Professional
Professional members must satisfy one of the following criteria for Australian and/overseas academic qualifications and professional experience:
- undergraduate or postgraduate degree (not diploma) in science, food science or technology or similar field from and Australian university, followed by three (3) years of relevant professional experience; OR
- undergraduate or postgraduate degree (not diploma) in science, food science or technology, microbiology or similar field from an overseas university, followed by three (3) years of relevant professional experience; OR
- a degree equivalent to (a) or (b) above, followed by three (3) years of relevant professional experience; OR (d) undergraduate or postgraduate diploma in science, food science and technology, microbiology or similar field from an Australian university or a college of TAFE that took at least two (2) years full time or four (4) years part time to complete, followed by five (5) years of relevant professional experience; OR
- undergraduate or postgraduate diploma in science, food science and technology, microbiology or similar field from an overseas university that took at least two (2) years full time or four (4) years part time to complete, followed by five (5) years of relevant professional experience; OR
- a diploma equivalent to (d) or (e) above, followed by five (5) years of relevant professional experience; OR
- if no undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications in a relevant field, then at least ten years of relevant professional experience.
Two nominators are required for Professional Member. Nominations may be either by Fellow or Professional Members of the Institute.
Professional members are allowed and encouraged to use MAIFST after their names.
Applicants for Professional Membership must supply additional information to that contained in the membership form.
Fellows, Honorary Fellow, Professional Members have full voting rights, may be office bearers of the Institute, and can nominate applicants for membership.
Member
People who do not qualify for Professional Membership, but have an interest in food issues can apply to become members of the Institute. They will have access to all Institute information and activities, but will have restricted voting rights, and may not be office bearers of the Institute. They are not permitted to use the Institute letters as a post-nominal after their name.
Graduate
A discounted Graduate fee is applicable for 1 year only, in year immediately following completion of academic requirements for a tertiary qualification.
Student
Students are eligible for a discounted membership fee. Proof of full time student status must accompany the renewal of the annual subscription.
Retired and Life Members
These membership grades are awarded at the discretion of Council subject to professional achievements, contribution to the Institute and employment status. Retired and Life Members are eligible for a concessional membership rate.
Retired and Life Members have full voting rights, may be office bearers of the Institute, and can nominate applicants for membership.
Please contact National Office on (02) 8399 3996 to find out more about becoming a Retired or Life Member.
There are three separate grades of membership within the AIFST for new members. Your grade of membership is determined by qualifications and industry experience.
Apply to join now
Download Fellow Nomination Form
Download all this information as a PDF
Notes for Guidance of Applicants
To safeguard the standards and value of membership of the Institute, great care is taken in processing applications. Each application is first scrutinised by the National Office and if the information supplied is insufficient the applicant will be contacted, and the application held, waiting for further documents. The completed application form is forwarded to the Membership Processing Committee and then to the Institute Executive for approval, with the applicant informed of their application status as soon as possible.
To avoid delays, applicants are reminded to supply full information regarding academic and practical experience claimed, and the use of correct nominators, ie Professional Member or Fellow, as per the Institute rules.
Refund Policy
Membership fees cover the benefits over the membership year, and therefore are not refundable.
AIFST is a national association representing individuals like you from all sectors of the Australian food and allied industries, giving you exposure to all aspects of the agrifood sector.