Governance
A national company, a skills-based Board, a Federation Council and seven separately incorporated Divisions — under one Constitution.
Image: Department of Defence, 20250912raaf8143036_0168
The Air Force Association Ltd is a not-for-profit public company limited by guarantee: the national peak body of a Federation of separately incorporated State and Territory Divisions, bound together by the National Constitution 2023.
The national entity became a company limited by guarantee in 2017, when the title ‘Air Force Association’ was formally adopted. Until 2023 the National Board comprised the Division Presidents and an elected Executive: the President, two Vice-Presidents, and the Treasurer & Secretary.
In November 2020 the AFA Ltd Board decided unanimously to restructure the national body. Over several years, workshops and discussions considered the best way to structure the Association for the future.
The new Constitution, adopted in February 2023, created a smaller, skills-based National Board of Directors and a Federation Council of a representative from each Division. This brought the company structure into line with contemporary governance requirements and left Division autonomy unchanged.
The National Board is responsible for strategic governance. The Federation Council’s role is to provide advice and feedback from the Divisions.
As a united Federation, bound together by a shared Constitution, the association is stronger and more cohesive.
Carl Schiller OAM CSM, National President, on the 2023 Constitution
The National Board is the governing body of the Association and conducts the business of the Association in accordance with the National Constitution 2023. Directors, office-bearers and the Patron are introduced on the National Board page.
Who sits on the Board?
The President, Vice President, Chief of Air Force Director, elected and appointed directors — with full biographies.
Registers and legislation
The Association’s registration and the law it is governed by are public. You can check both directly.
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Air Force Association Ltd’s entry on the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission register — responsible people, annual information statements and financial reports.
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The Commonwealth legislation under which a company limited by guarantee is incorporated and regulated.
The Federation
How the Association is structured
One national company, one Board, one advisory Council — and seven Divisions that remain their own incorporated bodies. Read it top to bottom.
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The company
Air Force Association Ltd
The national entity — a not-for-profit public company limited by guarantee since 2017, registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and regulated under the Corporations Act 2001. Its Members are the State and Territory Divisions.
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Governs
National Board
A skills-based Board of Directors that manages the company and holds overall strategic governance. It conducts the business of the Association in accordance with the National Constitution 2023, and represents the Association to government, DVA and other agencies.
Meet the Board -
Advises
Federation Council
A representative from each State and Territory Division. Its role is to provide advice and feedback from the Divisions to the National Board.
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Deliver
Seven State and Territory Divisions
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Belong
Branches and members
Within each Division, local branches are where most members meet the Association — in welfare visits, reunions and commemorative services.
Find your Division
More in this section
Help us be there
Gifts and memberships are what keep welfare visits, advocacy and commemoration going in every state.