FAQs

By joining you become a member of Australia’s largest community for chemistry professionals and enthusiasts. In addition, you receive special rates for events, networking opportunities, complimentary digital magazine, access to career development programs, and more. Please refer to the Membership page for further details. 

Membership fees vary by type. Most fees are listed under each membership category on the website, which you can find when you select the Join Now button. For selected membership types, concessional rates are available upon application. 

1. Click on the Log in link on the RACI website.
2. In the right-hand panel, below the username and password sign-in area, click on the "forgotten password" link.
3. Enter your username, which is the email address where you receive RACI emails, and click "submit."
4. If the username is associated with a valid email address, you'll receive an email from RACI with instructions for resetting your password.
5. If you don't see the email in your inbox, please check your junk mail folder.
6. In the email, click on the "go to the password reset page" link.
7. On the password reset page, enter and confirm your new password, then click "submit."
8. You can now sign in using your new password.

The Board may accept individuals and organisations who demonstrate an interest in the chemical sciences as members of the RACI.

The membership structure of the RACI has been designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of individuals from those with simply an interest in the subject to the professional chemical scientist.

Individual Members

• Student: designed for undergraduate, honours, masters students studying in a chemistry related field. 
• Post Graduate Student: designed for PhD students studying in a chemistry related field. 
• Early Career / Commencing Chemist: designed for individuals who have completed their studies and are in the first three years of their career.
• Member: designed for experienced individuals who have embarked on their career. 
• Fellow: designed for experienced individuals who have contributed significantly to the development of chemistry. 
• Associate Membership: designed for those with an interest in chemical sciences but do not meet the admission criteria for the above categories. 
• Honorary Life Member: granted to individuals who have been a continuous member of the RACI for 50 years. 

Organisation

• Industry & Government Partner: designed for companies and government entities with an interest in the chemical sciences. 
• University Partner: designed for universities that offer chemistry education or have an interest in the chemical sciences.
• School Partner: designed for primary and secondary schools. 

Under the RACI By-laws, membership is defined into Associate and Full categories. Associate categories do not have voting rights in some circumstances with full voting right being reserved for those that fall within the Full category. 

Full category membership includes the following member types: 

• Post Graduate Student
• Early Career / Commencing Chemist 
• Member inc. Chartered
• Fellow inc. Chartered

Associate category membership includes the following member types: 

• Associate (Individuals that do not meet the criteria for Full Membership)
• Student 
• Industry Partner
• Government Partner
• School Partner
• University Partner

Full Membership has two grades: Member and Fellow.

The criteria for Member include academic qualifications in a chemical science related field from an Australian University or its equivalent, three years professional experience in chemistry related employment. All subject to Board approval. 

The Fellowship grade of Membership is reserved for those individuals that satisfy the Board that they have made major contributions within the broad field of chemical science in any employment sector, such as, but not limited to academia, government, and industry, and/or who have made substantial contributions to the RACI organisation over a number of years.

Fellowship is granted by the Board following assessment and recommendation of each application by the Member Assessment Committee. 

To apply for Fellowship please refer to the Fellowship Information Page.

Members and Fellows can be promoted to the class of Chartered Chemist which signifies the individual is regarded as a chemical science professional. The criteria for this are:

• a PhD with a chemical science focused thesis or
• a degree majoring in chemical science from an RACI accredited university program with three years of professional experience in chemical science related employment that satisfies the Board of sufficient professional standing in the chemical sciences or
• a chemical science related degree from a non-accredited university program with at least four years of professional experience in chemistry related employment that satisfies the Board of sufficient professional standing in chemistry or
• the Board is satisfied that an individual without a degree has achieved a high standing in the field of chemical science as shown by professional experience in their career spanning at least ten years.

Yes, Full Members may receive concessional status if they are unemployed or retired. Concessional status is valid for twelve months, and members seeking reduced subscription rates must substantiate their claim. Concessional status may be reviewed over the course of the twelve months to ensure it is still valid. 

The Board may grant Honorary Life Membership to long-serving full Members who have been part of RACI for fifty continuous years. Honorary Life Members retain all rights and privileges of continuing full Membership without paying subscriptions.

Individuals expressing an interest in the chemical sciences, those working in a chemical science related environment, and those ineligible for full RACI Membership can apply. However, no person can remain an Associate Member for more than six months if they become eligible for full Membership.

Yes. New members status becomes 'active pending', making members eligible for discounted event rates until the membership is approved by the Board.

Members becomes 'active pending' until Board approval is given, usually there is a wait time of a month. Members receive a welcome notice and a member certificate which is available within the members online portal.

The RACI is Australia's awarding body for the prestigious, and globally recognised 'Chartered Chemist' postnominal. When you join the RACI you have an opportunity to be professionally recognised for your knowledge and experience in the chemical sciences, enhancing career prospects and credibility within academia, government, and industry. members who go on to be recognised attain the postnominal CChem (Chartered Chemist), and those who go further achieving eminence in the chemical sciences are recognised Fellows. 

Citizenship and country of residence is not a criterion for membership, but individuals must hold a qualification from an Australian university or an equivalent international qualification from a recognised higher education institution.