The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) is a professional medical organisation, comprised predominantly of Clinical Immunologists, Allergy Specialists and Immunology Scientists.

MISSION STATEMENT OF ASCIA

The mission of ASCIA is to advance the science and practice of clinical immunology and allergy, by promoting education and the highest standard of ethical medical practice.

THE ROLES OF ASCIA

The main roles of ASCIA are to: 

• promote the highest standards of scientific and medical practice and education amongst its members
• provide advice and representation to government departments and other professional organisations
• liaise with relevant lay organisations
• promote research and clinical trials
• coordinate education programmes for its members, other health professionals and the public.

OBJECTIVES OF ASCIA

The specific objectives of ASCIA are to: 

• promote and advance the study and knowledge of immune and allergic diseases, including asthma
• advance and maintain the highest standards of scientific and medical practice among those professionally engaged in the areas of clinical immunology and allergy
• be recognised as the foremost authority in clinical immunology and allergy in Australia and New Zealand.

MEETINGS OF ASCIA

The annual scientific meetings (ASM) of ASCIA are usually held around September/October, at a different venue each year. Information about these meetings is available on the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of ASCIA is usually held at the end of the ASCIA Annual Scientific Meeting, at the same venue. Every two years a new ASCIA Council is nominated and an election is held at the AGM for these positions.

In some years the ASCIA ASM may be held in conjunction with international meetings, such as the International Congress of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (ICACI) in Sydney during the year 2000.

In addition there are more regular educational meetings for ASCIA members which are organised by local ASCIA area representatives.

ASCIA MEMBERSHIP

Membership applications are available from the ASCIA Executive Officer or the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au Completed applications will be considered by the ASCIA Council at one of their regular meetings.

It is important to note that ASCIA is not a credentialling organisation and as such, ASCIA membership should not be used as a qualification.

There are two main categories of ASCIA membership:

1 Full (ordinary) membership

These members are Specialists in Clinical Immunology and Allergy or related fields, or postgraduate qualified Immunologists, with training in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of immune and allergic diseases. Full members can be candidates for most ASCIA Council positions and have full voting rights at ASCIA annual general meetings.

2 Associate membership

Medical practitioners, other health professionals or persons associated with

appropriate patient organisations, with an interest in allergy, asthma and/or immune diseases may apply for Associate membership of ASCIA. Applications should not be made for purely commercial reasons. Associate members are represented on the ASCIA Council by an Associate representative and a GP Liaison representative and have limited voting rights at ASCIA annual general meetings.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ASCIA

There have been considerable scientific advances in our knowledge of how the immune system works over the last fifty years. This is reflected in how allergy, asthma and immune diseases are now treated, the training of specialists treating these diseases, and in the constitution and history of the organisation now known as ASCIA:

• 1991 ASCIA was established, by the amalgamation of the Australian College of Allergy with the Clinical Immunology Group (CIG).
• 1983 The CIG constitution was adopted by the Australasian Society of Immunology (ASI) as a special interest group.
• 1970 The ASI was established. Also in this year the Australian Society of Allergists Incorporated, established in 1963 under the auspices of the British Medical Association (Australia) became the Australian College of Allergists Incorporated, and later the Australian College of Allergy, at which time the constitution was amended to include scientifically trained, non medical graduates.
• 1953 The Australian Society of Allergists was registered under the auspice of the British Medical Association (Australia).
• (Reference: Donald, Gwen. ACA Newsletter 9; 1990)

ASCIA EDUCATION RESOURCES (AER)

ASCIA Education Resources (AER) is an official education project of ASCIA, offering reliable and up to date information on allergy, asthma and immune diseases. The AER web pages, which can be accessed via the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au include a wide range of information bulletins for the public, health professionals and media.