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Membership Eligibility

Membership Eligibility

Individuals and Organisations can join the IVA where they support the purposes of the IVA.

Organisations join as Organisational Members and Individuals join as either IVA Accredited Advocates or as Professional Members (see membership types).

All members must agree to:

  • comply with IVA’s Constitution, By-Laws, Code of Conduct and applicable professional standards; and
  • be subject to, and cooperate with, IVA’s complaints and disciplinary framework.

Individual members must be associated with an organisation that is a member of IVA and satisfy IVA that they are fit and proper persons. They must also:

  • provide evidence of relevant probity or screening checks where reasonably requested by IVA; and
  • maintain appropriate professional indemnity insurance, whether personally or through their employer or sponsoring organisation.

IVA Accredited Advocates must meet applicable continuing professional development requirements before renewal of their accreditation. Accredited Advocates who charge fees must also comply with the charging requirements contained in IVA’s By-Laws.

IVA does not impose separate continuing professional development requirements on Professional Members. Professional Members remain responsible for meeting the requirements of their respective professions and may access IVA’s professional development offerings.

Organisational participation requirement for IVA Accredited Advocates

Individual IVA Accredited Advocates who provide advocacy must be linked to a current IVA Organisational Member before their individual membership or accreditation can be finalised.

This approach recognises that professional advocacy depends on both individual capability and an appropriate organisational environment. It also enables IVA to support the organisation and the individual advocate as connected participants in the same professional framework.

This requirement helps IVA:

  • confirm where and how advocacy services are being delivered
  • support both individual advocates and the organisations in which they operate
  • communicate directly with local advocacy providers
  • target professional development and capability support
  • promote consistent professional and ethical standards
  • maintain confidence in the integrity of the IVA professional framework

Accreditation remains an individual recognition. Organisational membership does not mean that IVA accredits or endorses every service delivered by an organisation.

Where an applicant works or volunteers for more than one organisation, the applicant should identify each organisation through which they currently provide advocacy services.