Membership
Membership
Who can join the SIA?
Membership is open to anyone with an interest in submarine matters and who can be Proposed and Seconded by a member of the SIA whose subscriptions are up to date. To use the online application form, you will need the names of the Proposer/Seconder as they are lodged with us. If you are unsure if you have the correct name (and your application form will be rejected with a small red exclamation mark next to the offending field if that's the case), please check with the Executive Director.
What happens if I don't know two SIA members?
Please contact the Executive Director who will ensure that you are a legitimate person and then provide details of two members to support your application..
Do I have to be a submariner?
No. Our charter does not limit itself to naval submarines but all "submarine matters" (i.e. under the water) and that includes industry, other service members as well as Navy.
How much does it cost?
The Joining Fee is currently $55 (inclusive of GST). This includes subscriptions for the remainder of the financial year in which you joined (i.e. until 30 June). Thereafter, annual subscriptions are $55. You can pay for up to 3 years subscriptions in advance.
How can I pay?
We accept payment by credit card (we use the secure services of PayPal), electronic transfer into the SIA account or, if you have to, by cheque or money order.
What happens if I'm late with my subscriptions?
We allow four weeks' grace after your subscriptions expire (i.e. until the end of July). After that, you will still be able to login, update contact details and make a payment. You will, however, be denied access to members-only files until your subscription status is restored.
How long does it take for my payment to be recognised?
If you pay online using PayPal, your membership will be instantly updated. All other payment methods are dependent upon the payment being recognised by the Hon Treasurer, so an email alerting him to the payment is appreciated.
What other benefits come with membership?
Once you are a member, you can access papers that are not available to the general public. You can join a discussion group (the SM2020 group is the most active) where members can contribute to the development of informed debate among themselves. SIA members are also eligible for significant discounts at SIA Conferences.
How are the Discussion Groups managed?
Once you apply to join a Discussion Group, you are asked to confirm that you are a member. All posts are 'moderated' - as long as there is nothing offensive in the post, it will be released and therefore sent to all members of the Discussion Group with minimal delay. The content of the Discussion Group is intended for the Group alone and not for onforwarding - it is through this that we can encourage informed discussion.