MEMBER

ASSOCIATE

AFFILIATE

SUBSCRIBER

Your expertise is acknowledged by your peers and by hand surgeons (Professional Levels only)

To access a professional support network (Professional Levels only)

Annual publication and circulation of the Membership Directory (containing Member details only) assists in raising the profession's and Members' profiles

Access to the quarterly AHTA Newsletter, which includes member articles, practice tips, and employment opportunities

Access to specialised workshops at Annual Conferences which are additionally discounted to members (Some advanced workshops and/or forums are restricted to Members only)

The Annual Scientific Meeting and AGM provides a forum for advancing the profession (Professional Levels only)

Access to Australian Hand Surgery Society Meetings

Access to information about the international Hand Therapy scene

Access to ProQuest Journal Database 'Health and Medical Complete' for all Members and Associates

Range of Motion

Biomechanics

Strength

Vascularity

Dexterity

Hand Function

Oedema

ADL

Work Capacity

Psychosocial skills

Wound and Scar condition

Wound Care

Desensitization programs

Scar Management

Oedema control

Splint fabrication

Work conditioning

Work site visits

Joint mobilization

ADL training

Prosthetic training

Muscle re-education

Pain management

Change of dominance

Sensory re-education training

Active & passive joint ROM exercises

Minimum of three years equivalent full-time experience post-graduation as an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist and State Registration where appropriate

Minimum of 12 months Associate membership of the AHTA, or other IFSHT recognised association

Minimum 3600 hours experience as a practicing hand therapy clinician

A reference from a therapist registered with the AHTA Mentor Program, who facilitated the membership process

Engaged in a range of learning activities that equate to 300 hours of professional development/education within the maximum time frame of the last five years

Practising qualified Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist

State Registered where applicable

Interested OT/PT recommended by a Member of the AHTA or the AHSS

Attend meetings with experienced therapists

Access to the Newsletter

Serves as interim to becoming a Member

Serves as an alternative for Members who are unable to maintain their status but still wish to maintain an active interest in Hand Therapy. The option is always available to apply for upgrade to Member status once minimum Associate membership period has been reached.

All applicants, and those applying to upgrade their membership from Associate to Full Member, will be required to pay a non-refundable Application Fee.  Details of these fees can be found further down this page.  This is an administration fee and is in addition to subsequent membership fees.  Once applications are approved by the AHTA Management Committee, new members are invoiced for membership fees to the end of the current calendar year.  Anyone approved between 1 January and 30 June will be invoiced for a full year, ending 31 December.  Those approved between 1 July and 31 December will be invoiced for a half year ending 31 December.  Membership will not be considered active until these fees are paid in full.

Visa and MasterCard are available as payment options, however, a 3% surcharge will apply if using this method.

Once admitted as a Member, it will be necessary to participate in various activities to qualify for continued Member status. Details will be provided once admission is confirmed.

Obtain application form from the AHTA Secretariat or complete form on this web site

Contact the Mentor in your division, if applying for upgrade to Full Membership

Phone Membership Secretary if any clarification is required

Documentation required:

	a copy of your degree
	a copy of your current registration certificate (if applicable)
	CV containing details regarding your work history as an OT or PT

Documentation required – Copy of Tax Invoice for Associate membership fees

Documentation required:

completed Employment Verification Form detailing dates of employment, hours worked, and primary caseload

The written reference will contain:

	information about the contact between the mentor and the applicant
	a statement of recommendation for Full Membership

Applicants must demonstrate how they have met the requirements, based on the following outline and with reference to the PD Participation Guidelines:

	Documentation must be provided to substantiate the claim
	Documentation must be provided in a logical manner and be accompanied by the Evidence of PD Participation form detailing how the hours were accumulated

current State Registration certificate, where applicable

a letter of recommendation from an AHTA Member or a Member of the Australian Hand Surgery Society

a copy of your qualification(s) (OT/PT degree)

a copy of State Registration, where applicable

the appropriate application fee

Your completed application

Copy of your Degree/Diploma & State Registration Certificate

Copy of your current registration certificate (if applicable)

CV containing details regarding your work history as an OT or PT

Proof of current AHTA Associate membership or membership of recognised overseas hand therapy association

completed Employment Verification Form

Written reference and statement of recommendation from an AHTA Mentor

Documented evidence of participation in learning activities

Non-refundable upgrade application fee of $33.00 Including GST or $77.00 if not a current financial Associate member of the AHTA