Membership
There are three membership categories available, each with differing levels of services and benefits. We also have one limited time sub-category for our founding members.
Eligibility
Both current serving and ex-serving ADF members, plus current/former Defence APS (including from Australia Signals Directorate/Australian Submarine Agency) are eligible to join the association if they meet the criteria as outlined below.
If you are unsure about which criteria best applies to your situation, please send us an email at admin@avla.org.au to discuss.
Ordinary members
Must meet one of the following:
Qualified linguist (including lapsed or ex-serving)
Claimed linguist (serving or ex-serving) who has provided linguist support
DFSL Language Instructor (current/former)
Associate members
Must meet one of the following:
DFSL students or short course graduate
Currently studying a non-Defence language course
Have ESL teaching experience (serving or ex-serving)
Claimed linguist (serving or ex-serving) who has never provided linguist support
Developed proficiency in a language other than English post their Defence service
Have an interest in learning a second language
Foreign military personnel serving in Australia
Others invited by the board of directors.
Lifetime members
Must meet all of the following:
Continuous member for at least 15 years
Served the association in an official capacity for at least eight years
Elected for category by the board of directors
Inclusions
The main inclusions for each membership category are listed below. See our Constitution for more details.
Ordinary & Associate members
Access to all services
Attend and speak at meetings
Eligible for appointment to committees
15% discount on events and professional development
Lifetime members
Access to all services
Lifetime membership (no fees)
Attend and speak at meetings
Eligible for appointment to committees
Exclusive networking events
25% discount on events
50% discount on professional development
Fees
We rely on a range of revenue streams, including membership fees. While these may increase over time as our services grow, every effort will be taken to always keep fees as low as possible.
Application fee
A one-time $10.00 application fee applies for all new memberships.
Founding members
Join before 20 December 2026 to become a Founding member! Eligibility for Ordinary and Associate categories will continue to apply, however, Founding members will enjoy additional special benefits for supporting our early journey:
Annual membership fee will remain at $50.00 until 2030
Founding member digital badge for emails and LinkedIn.
Register your interest to join us
Our form questions help us verify your eligibility to join and to better understand how to support you.
Prefer not to submit your information online? No problem at all - checkout our 'Alternative options' FAQ guidance. You can also checkout our Security page to learn how secure our systems are.
All prospective members must agree to be bound by the Constitution.
Keen to find out more before registering? Sign up for one of our online information sessions scheduled in June and July.
Note: Completing this form does not lock you into anything. Once we are ready to process applications we will reconfirm if you wish to proceed with joining.
Days till launch
Monday, 03 August 2026