Benefits

WHY JOIN?

The Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) is a non-profit organisation which aims to advance the skills, status and public perception of its members. Its officers and members are drawn from a wide range of geoscience fields. The broad base of the AIG encourages transfer of technical expertise and awareness of employment opportunities both within and outside traditional resource-based geoscientific activities.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND ISSUES

The Institute supports efforts to raise awareness in the general community about employment issues in the mining and exploration industries. When needed, the AIG lobbies political parties on such crucial issues. The AIG has a web site at www.aig.asn.au. This site provides a forum for members to raise and discuss issues, allow easier access to the AIG News and new technical journals and improve communication between the state branch committees and the membership. Membership application, conference registration and publication order forms are also available in addition to an events calendar. The AIG is relevant to and informed about its membership and the issues that concern them.

REPRESENTATION

The AIG represents the complete spectrum of geoscientists in Australia. Our members include professionals from the fields of mineral, coal and petroleum exploration, geophysics, geochemistry, environmental geoscience, engineering geology, mining geology and hydrogeology, as well as those who use geoscience skills in management, research, education, consulting, computing and information systems. The AIG is the only body that specifically represents all geoscientists and promotes their professional interests.

JORC COMPETENT PERSON ACCREDITATION

Appropriately qualified members of the AIG are authorised by the Australian Stock Exchange and the Joint Ore Reserve Code to be Competent Persons in regard to public reports relating to Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates (refer to ASX listing rules.).

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION OF GEOSCIENTISTS

After extensive consultations with members and other learned and professional bodies, the AIG developed a voluntary registration scheme for accreditation of experienced and respected practitioners. Members or Fellows of the Institute may apply for acceptance as Registered Professional Geoscientists through the AIG?s registration board, subject to endorsement by four referees, peer review and state committee evaluation.

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF QUALIFICATIONS

AIG is actively pursuing mutual recognition of qualifications and professional geoscientist registration with kindred institutes internationally.

CODE OF ETHICS

The AIG has a strong code of ethics, which establishes rules and standards of conduct of members for the benefit of the profession and the public. Members can refer ethical issues to the AIG Ethics Committee.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR MEMBERS

The AIG organises workshops and conferences to disseminate knowledge among its members. These are typically low-cost practical one- to three-day events. Members receive a substantial discount on normal registration fees. Special rates are also usually made available for students and unemployed members.

PUBLICATIONS

The Institute's informative newsletter AIG News is a forum for public discussion and publishes letters, articles of professional advice and technical reviews, and also informs members of forthcoming events. The AIG will soon be publishing the AIG News and a technical journal on its web site at www.aig.asn.au. The AIG also produces conference proceedings as AIG Bulletins and publishes handbooks on topics of practical use to members.

EDUCATION

The AIG assists primary and secondary school students gain an appreciation of geoscience and an enthusiasm to study and understand geoscientific principles. It promotes the role of geoscience in society as a responsible and essential contributor to improving the Australian way of life. The Institute wishes to encourage young people to join the geoscience professions and take on the challenge to change and control the future use of resources, and also to solve problems of past bad practice.

AIG also operates an undergraduate and postgraduate student bursary programme tha provides financial support for students.

LIAISON WITH OTHER BODIES

The AIG is proud to maintain close and cordial links with other learned and professional bodies including AGS, FASTS, AusIMM, MCA, GSA, ASEG, AEG, SMEDG and various university departments, and often collaborates with one or more of these groups to achieve common goals.

PROFESSIONAL REPRESENTATION

Officers of the AIG represent the interests of its members on important national committees including:

JORC, THE JOINT ORE RESERVES COMMITTEE FORMED TO ESTABLISH RULES FOR REPORTING RESOURCE ESTIMATES (AIG-AusIMM-MCA)
THE VALMIN COMMITTEE FORMED TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR VALUING MINERAL ASSETS (AIG-AusIMM-MCA-MICA-PESA-ASX-SIA)
THE AUSTRALIAN GEOSCIENCE COUNCIL, THE UMBRELLA ORGANISATION FOR GEOSCIENCE BODIES (AIG-GSA-ASEG-AusIMM-PESA-AGS-AEG-AGIA-IAG)

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT

In certain circumstances the AIG has provided assistance or guidance on behalf of individual members on matters relating to professional practice.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Harbour cruises, dinners and other social activities are conducted to bring members into contact on an informal basis.

OPERATION

The AIG benefits from the voluntary efforts of its Federal and State Councillors and the participation of its members. Active state branches are established in WA, NSW, Qld and Vic. The Institute owes no allegiance to any corporate, private or public entity and is able to represent its members with complete independence on a broad range of geoscience matters.

LOW FEES

The AIG keeps its annual membership fees at very moderate levels. Full time undergraduate students are entitled to free membership. Geoscientists from developing countries meeting all requirements for AIG membership may be entitled to a concession on normal AIG membership fees. Applications for concessional membership are assessed on a case by case basis.

AIG Student Bursary Program

AIG's bursary programme for undergraduate and postgraduate students is generously supported by sponsors including: