Membership

Rules of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia

The Neurosurgical Society of Australasia's internal management and membership is governed by its Constitution.  The Constitution is a contract between the NSA and each member.  A copy of the Constitution can be downloaded below.

Download the Constitution here  

Categories and Eligibility 

Membership to the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia is voluntary and over 95% of neurosurgeons in Australia and New Zealand are members. The high membership level reflects the commitment of neurosurgeons to the maintenance of standards in neurosurgery and the delivery of the highest standard of neurosurgical services.

Membership is available in the following categories:

Senior Membership

To be eligible for senior membership the person must:

• have been a full member of the NSA for a period of 5 years or more; and
• have retired from active neurosurgical practice; and
• have reached the age of 60; or
• have retired from active neurosurgical practice due to ill health; and
• be in good standing in the neurosurgical community in Australia and New Zealand.
  

For the purpose of eligibility, the determination of whether a person is in good standing in the neurosurgical community in Australia and New Zealand or is a fit and proper person is determined at the discretion of the Board.  Full members may be considered for transfer to the senior member category on application to the Board.  The request must be submitted in writing and satisfy the requirements outlined above.

Full Membership

To be eligible for full membership the person must:

• be a qualified specialist neurosurgeon with appropriate post graduate qualifications and medical registration in Australia or New Zealand; and
• be practicing in Australia or New Zealand as a specialist neurosurgeon; and
• have been practicing in Australia or New Zealand as a specialist neurosurgeon for 2 years or more; and
• have been a provisional member of the NSA for 2 years or more; and
• be in good standing in the neurosurgical community in Australia and New Zealand.

For the purpose of eligibility, the determination of whether a person is in good standing in the neurosurgical community in Australia and New Zealand or is a fit and proper person is determined at the discretion of the Board. 

Provisional Membership

To be eligible for provisional membership the person must:

• be a qualified specialist neurosurgeon with appropriate post graduate qualifications and medical registration in Australia or New Zealand; and
• be practicing in Australia or New Zealand as a specialist neurosurgeon; or
• be undertaking an appropriate Australian or New Zealand post graduate training program or period of approved supervision, the satisfactory completion of which will result in the ability to practice as a specialist neurosurgeon in Australia or New Zealand; and
• not be eligible for full membership; and
• be in good standing in the neurosurgical community in Australia and New Zealand.

For the purpose of eligibility, the determination of whether a person is in good standing in the neurosurgical community in Australia and New Zealand or is a fit and proper person is determined at the discretion of the Board. Applicants who do not have the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), a current valid specialist assessment in neurosurgery from the RACS or who are not accepted for or currently enrolled in the the RACS Surgical Education and Training Program in Neurosurgery must submit two written references from members of the NSA in support of their application.

Associate Membership

To be eligible for associate membership the person must:

• be a non-neurosurgeon in Australia or New Zealand engaged in an area related to neurosurgery and the activities of the Society; or
• be an Australian or New Zealand scientist with an interest in a field related to neurosurgery; or
• be a practicing specialist neurosurgeon in a country other than Australia or New Zealand and engaged in the activities of the Society; or
• be a medical graduate of an Australian or New Zealand university, registered to practice medicine in Australia or New Zealand; and
• not be eligible for full or provisional membership; and
• be a fit and proper person for membership.
  

Applicants who are scientists or engaged in an area related to neurosurgery must submit with their application evidence of membership of an Australian or New Zealand relevant professional society or association. Applicants who are practicing specialist neurosurgeons in a country other than Australia or New Zealand must submit with their application evidence of their specialist qualification in neurosurgery, current medical registration and a letter of good standing from the neurosurgical society or association in the country where they are practicing.

Honorary Membership

To be eligible for honorary membership the person must:

• have been honoured by having had this title conferred upon them by the Society; and
• have made a noteworthy contribution to the art and practice of neurosurgery; or
• have assisted the Society in some significant manner.
  

Application and Admission

To submit an application, please email us here at [email protected] with the following:

• Your full name, postal address and email address;
• The membership category you are applying for; and
• The evidence requested above for your membership category.

Please allow 3 months for the processing of your application.

Maintaining Membership

All members must do the following to maintain membership following admission:

• pay the annual fee; and
• continue to satisfy the membership eligibility requirements.

Provisional members may be automatically transferred to full membership when deemed eligible by the Board. The member will be notified in writing when this occurs. Associate members may be automatically transferred to provisional membership when deemed eligible by the Board. The member will be notified in writing when this occurs.  Full and provisional members may be automatically transferred to associate membership when deemed eligible by the Board. The member will be notified in writing when this occurs.

A right, privilege or obligation which a person has by reason of being a member of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia is not capable of being transferred or transmitted to another person and terminates on cessation of the person’s membership. For information on cessation of membership please see the Constitution available for downloading at the top of this page.