The CSS currently has several types of membership; Introductory Members, Introductory Family Members, Full Members, Family Members and Honorary Life Members. Prospective members are required to take up an Introductory Membership which will allow them to explore their personal interests over a 12 month period. The Introductory Membership includes the ASF Inc. Public Liability insurance and possibly the quarterly ASF magazine (Caves Australia).

Introductory Members shall be natural persons over the age of 16 years nominated and approved in the following manner:

1. if under the age of 18 years, have his or her application form endorsed by a parent or legal guardian, and
2. the payment of the membership fee is passed together with the application form to the Secretary/Treasurer as soon as possible, and
3. the term of membership is limited to twelve (12) calendar months, commencing on any day of the month, as specified on the application form, after 3 months which the person may apply for Full Membership.

Once an application for an Introductory membership has been accepted by the Committee, it is usual practice to announce the acceptance at the next general meeting. This membership enables anyone to participate in CSS caving trips and events for 12 months with the approval of the event organiser. It includes the mandatory ASF insurance coverage.

Introductory Family Members shall be natural persons in the same immediate family nominated and approved in the following manner:

1. if under the age of 18 years, have his or her application form endorsed by a parent or legal guardian, and
2. the payment of the membership fee is passed together with the application form to the Secretary/Treasurer as soon as possible, and
3. the term of membership is limited to twelve (12) calendar months, commencing on any day of the month, as specified on the application form, after 3 months which the family may apply for Full Membership.

Once an application for an Introductory Family membership has been accepted by the Committee, it is usual practice to announce the acceptance at the next general meeting. This membership enables anyone to participate in CSS caving trips and events for 12 months with the approval of the event organiser. It includes the mandatory ASF insurance coverage.

Full Members shall:

1. have attained the age of 18 years, and
2. have caved on 3 CSS trips, and
3. be conversant with the ASF Code of Ethics and ASF Safety Codes, and
4. show a responsible and safe attitude towards caving.

Note that CSS Rules requires that a majority of Full Members present at a General Meeting approve a person for Full Membership.

Membership Benefits

All financial members are covered by the ASF caving insurance scheme on all society trips and events.

Members also have access to the CSS extensive library of caving books and journals, and also access to the extensive collection of cave records, reports and maps.

Members receive an electronic (PDF) copy of the The Very Latest (TVL) when they are produced.

Unfinancial Members

Introductory membership lapses automatically at the end of the 12 months period for which it applies. Full Members - see the CSS Rules

Membership Application Forms

Membership Fees

Please refer to the membership form for details of the discounts for students, pensioners, single-parent households etc

Fees along with completed forms are usually collected at the Annual General Meeting in March.