Join CFA Society Australia
Working as one to raise industry standards
Become part of the premier network for investment professionals in Australia. The CFA Society Australia membership connects you with local and global investment communities. It gives you access to benefits that help you pursue professional knowledge, advance your career, and lead with ethics.
Member benefits
Become a CFA Society Australia member
You can either become a regular member – with qualifying work experience in the investment decision-making process, or an affiliate member.
See below to choose the right option before you start the application.
Regular membership
To become a member you will need to:
- Be an investment professional directly involved in or supporting the investment decision-making process.
- Have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent education/work experience.
- Have a passing score on the CFA® Level I Exam, or CIPM Program Level II Exam, or the self-administered Standards of Practice Examination.
- Have 4,000 hours of relevant work experience completed in a minimum of 36 months.
- Have 2 professional references if one is an active local society member, OR 3 professional references if none are an active local society member.
Regular membership is a prerequisite to earning the CFA charter and CIPM certificate.
If you’re already a member of CFA Institute and would like to join CFA Society Australia, log in to CFA Institute website. During the application process you will be able to select CFA Society Australia as your local society.
Affiliate membership
To become a member you will need to:
- Be an investment professional who does not meet the eligibility requirements of regular memberships or does not intend to participate in the CFA Program or CIPM Program.
- Have 2 professional references if one is an active local society member, OR 3 professional references if none are an active local society member.
Affiliate Members do not have voting rights in the Society. You can apply for Affiliate membership through the CFA Institute.
What is the difference between regular and affiliate membership?
Both regular and affiliate members are members of CFA Institute and have access to the same resources and benefits. However regular members also have voting rights with CFA Institute and CFA Societies.
What type of work experience is appropriate?
CFA Institute is responsible for determining what counts as appropriate work experience. Additional information is available on CFA Institute website. Broadly you must be able to show that you have experience in evaluating or applying financial, economic or statistical data as part of the investment decision-making process.
Do I have to complete the CFA Program to become a member?
You can become a regular or affiliate member without completing the CFA® Program. However, if you have not passed Level I of the CFA Program you must sit a Standards of Practice Examination to demonstrate your understanding of CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice Handbook.
How do I apply?
Regular and affiliate members should apply through the CFA Institute.
When can I join?
You can join as a regular or affiliate at any time. However, the membership year runs from 1 July to 30 June and is not pro-rated.
I’m no longer working in the industry but would like to maintain my charter. Is a discount available?
If you are retired, temporarily unemployed or no longer working in the investment management industry you can apply for retired status via CFA Institute, this will provide a discount on your CFA Institute & Society Membership dues.
I’m enrolled in the CFA Program, does that mean I’m a member?
No. Being enrolled in the CFA Program does not automatically make you a member of the CFA Institute or a local society.
I’ve passed Level 3 of the CFA Program, how do I get my CFA charter?
You must be a regular member of CFA Institute to receive your charter. More information on receiving your CFA charter is available from CFA Institute.
How do I update my details?
Regular, affiliate and candidate members can update their details through the CFA Institute website.
Can I transfer my membership?
If you are a Regular member of CFA Institute, you may transfer your membership from another society or add CFA Society Perth as a local society affiliation. To transfer or add membership, members must login to their CFA Institute account to initiate an application.
Please note: Annual membership dues are non-transferable between local societies.
If you have forgotten your CFA Institute login credentials or are unsure if you have a CFA Institute account, please click here.
Application resources
Access hereWhen you apply for regular membership, you will be asked to provide professional references and to describe prior job responsibilities that demonstrate qualified work experience. Before starting your application, use these resources to help you assess your eligibility and understand materials required for submission.
Take the next step. Join us.
If you’re already a member of CFA Institute and would like to join CFA Society Australia, simply login to CFA Institute website and select your local CFA Society.
Login to CFA Institute >