Become a member
We welcome new members into our friendly Society. We have members who are experienced and we have many who are just starting out in astronomy. Ownership of optical equipment is not essential. All you need is an enquiring mind and a love of the night sky.
If you are considering joining the Society, please read the details below.
If you are already a current member, you are on the wrong page. Please go the Membership Renewals page.
Discounted Annual Membership Fees: New Members
New members pay a one-off joining fee plus a pro-rata portion of the annual membership fee, based on the the number of months remaining in the current MAS financial year. Fees are non-refundable.
Membership Period
Each annual membership period begins on 1st March and expires on the last day of February. If you join in January or February, you have two options:
Option 1: pay pro-rata for the remaining months of the financial year (+ joining fee) and pay again to renew your annual membership in March; or
Option 2: pay pro-rata for those months (+ joining fee) and also pay now for the next full year commencing 1st March.
Membership Fees For 2025-26
Fees applicable from 1st January 2023 (in $AU):
| Month Joined | Months to Pay For | Individual | Full Family | Limited Family | Student 18+ | Pensioner | Joining Fee |
| Jan | 2 | $9.67 | $14.50 | $7.25 | $7.25 | $7.25 | +$17.00 |
| Feb | 1 | $4.83 | $7.25 | $3.63 | $3.63 | $3.63 | +$17.00 |
| Mar | 12 | $58.00 | $87.00 | $43.50 | $43.50 | $43.50 | +$17.00 |
| Apr | 11 | $53.17 | $79.75 | $39.88 | $39.88 | $39.88 | +$17.00 |
| May | 10 | $48.33 | $72.50 | $36.25 | $36.25 | $36.25 | +$17.00 |
| Jun | 9 | $43.50 | $65.25 | $32.63 | $32.63 | $32.63 | +$17.00 |
| Jul | 8 | $38.67 | $58.00 | $29.00 | $29.00 | $29.00 | +$17.00 |
| Aug | 7 | $33.83 | $50.75 | $25.38 | $25.38 | $25.38 | +$17.00 |
| Sep | 6 | $29.00 | $43.50 | $21.75 | $21.75 | $21.75 | +$17.00 |
| Oct | 5 | $24.17 | $36.25 | $18.13 | $18.13 | $18.13 | +$17.00 |
| Nov | 4 | $19.33 | $29.00 | $14.50 | $14.50 | $14.50 | +$17.00 |
| Dec | 3 | $14.50 | $21.75 | $10.88 | $10.88 | $10.88 | +$17.00 |
Examples for pro-rata membership sought in August:
- Individual membership will cost $33.83 + $17.00 = $50.83
- Family membership will cost $50.75 + $17.00 = $67.75
- Limited family membership will cost $25.38 + $17.00 = $42.38
- Student or pensioner concession membership will cost $25.38 + $17.00 = $42.38.
Such a membership will expire next 28th or 29th February. If you have any problems or need further information please contact the Membership Officer at: membership@macastro.org.au
Submitting Your Application
Please download the membership form and print it.
1. Fill out the form, sign it and submit it to us at membership@macastro.org.au Please advise us in the e-mail of the exact amount paid and your transaction method (e.g. PayPal, direct transfer, cheque etc.). 2. Send your payment to us separately. Payment methods are described on our Payments page The scheduled Joining Fee must be included with your pro-rata membership payment. To avoid confusion, please clearly identify yourself in the banking description, together with the purpose of the payment. e.g. “MAS new membership fee from your name“. Thanks! We look forward to meeting you. |
What Next?
Your membership will be proposed to the Management Committee. Following this, you will be advised if your membership has been accepted.
We really try hard to respond by e-mail to new applications as quickly as we can, but if you have not heard from us within seven days, please contact the Membership Officer at membership@macastro.org.au
Your membership commences at the date of formal acceptance and your website log on details will be issued to you. If you don’t receive logon information within two days of acceptance, or if you have trouble logging on, please contact webmaster@macastro.org.au
Persons Under 18
Persons under the age of 18 will be accepted as family members, along with one or both of their parents and/or guardians.
We require persons under the age of 18 to be accompanied by a parent or guardian to any event.
Parents and legal guardians may nominate a family member 18 years or older or other trusted person to accompany and act as guardian for the person under 18 years, in writing to the Secretary.
Voting rights are limited to adult membership.
Family Membership
Two levels of discounted membership are available for families, Full Family and Limited Family.
Full Family Membership
Full Family Membership is for two adults and their immediate children under the age of eighteen years. Where possible, please provide a separate e-mail address on the application form for each person.
Limited Family Membership
Limited Family Membership is for one adult and a maximum of one of their immediate children under the age of eighteen years.
Student Membership
Students must be over eighteen and studying full-time at university, college or school.
Pensioner Membership
Pensioners must be eligible to receive a government support or aged pension and/or be a retired person sixty years old or over.
Further Information
Please e-mail: membership@macastro.org.au for further information regarding:
- Submission of membership forms,
- Submissions of membership fees,
- Eligibility for membership,
- Benefits of membership,
- Lack of response to your application within 7 days,
- Membership privileges prior to committee acceptance of applications.
MAS contact with members between meetings is predominantly based on the website and e-mail. We avoid using the postal system.
Please visit the Payments page for payment options.