Membership Categories

There are four categories of membership of the Royal Society of New South Wales.  If you wish to join the Society please access the relevant form on the “Joining the Society” page after reading the contents of this page. 

Membership

To become a Full Member of the Society, you must be nominated and seconded by a Fellow or a Full Member of the Society. There is an annual membership fee and a joining fee, payable only in the first year of membership. Full members are entitled to use the post-nominal MRSN.

(If you wish to join the Society and you do not know personally a Fellow or a Full Member, please contact the Society’s office and we can arrange for an introduction. Often, people decide to join after attending meetings as a visitor.)

Fellowship

The Fellowship category of membership was introduced in December 2013 to recognise members who are leaders in their field. 

To become a Fellow of the Society, you must be nominated and seconded by a Fellow or a Full Member of the Society.  There is an annual membership fee and a joining fee, payable only in the first year of membership. Fellows of the Society are entitled to use the post-nominal FRSN.

(If you wish to join the Society and you do not know personally a Fellow or a Full Member, please contact the Society’s office and we can arrange for an introduction. Often, people decide to join after attending meetings as a visitor.)

Criteria for Fellowship may be found in the Society’s Rules and are listed below.

Fellowship Assessment Criteria

To qualify for Fellowship a nominee shall EITHER satisfy at least three of the following criteria:

1. Fellowship of an approved academy or professional institution. Such approved academies or professional institutions shall be submitted to Council for approval by the committee that assesses qualification for Fellowship
2. Incumbent or retired senior leadership role in the academic, education, business, government or not-for-profit sectors
3. Hold a doctoral degree
4. Have a significant record of cited publications or an equivalent body of work
5. Be a recipient of a prestigious award, prize or medal in their profession or discipline
6. Have extensive, long-term involvement in the Society’s affairs, such as extensive publications in the Society’s Journal and Proceedings, long-term service on the Council or the Executive Committee, or serving as President, or Vice-President

OR have made a significant contribution to the welfare and well being of Australia and whose appointment is approved by resolution of the Council upon recommendation of the assessment committee.

Associate Membership

Associate Membership is available to spouses or partners of Full Members or Fellows, and to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students (aged under 25) of tertiary institutions, and to high school students. There is no joining fee for Associate Membership.

Retired Membership

A reduced membership rate is available to Full Members and Fellows who certify that they are over the age of 60 and not in receipt of income against which membership fees would be tax-deductible. (Click the link to download the declaration form.)