Club Affiliation Fees

Background

In 2018, Australian Sailing and all Member Yachting Associations (MYA’s) agreed to implement a uniform national model for club affiliation fees. The new structure was designed to harmonise fees and the funding of the sport so that it is equitable and nationally consistent.

Key principles of the structure include:

• Australian Sailing does not charge an individual membership fee. Individuals are members of clubs, not members of Australian Sailing or state associations.
• Club membership fees for Individuals are set by clubs- not Australian Sailing.
• Clubs are grouped with their peers from around the country to ensure their financial contributions are equitable.
• To provide budgeting certainty for both Clubs and Australian Sailing, with fees linked to a known and stable framework, not fluctuating directly in relation to membership numbers.
• The model is based on a single fee to the club and does not directly reference the number, or category of members at a club.
• It reinforces that Clubs are the members of Australian Sailing if they are in NSW,SA and TAS; and via their MYA’s in WA, QLD, NT, ACT and VIC (not individuals, who are members of clubs).
• It ensures the financial footing of the sport is sustainable.

A working group was established by the AS board in December 2020 to review the fee harmonization project on its three year anniversary with the purpose of:

• Reviewing the fee model and consider whether it has met its objectives
• Identifying improvements that contribute to better equity, transparency and simplicity.
• Identifying any impediments for achieving full national implementation by 2022

As a result of the deliberations of the working group, a number of amendments have been made to the fee structure. Summary of key changes:

• The Implied Fee calculation has been replaced with a simpler club ranking; based on total income (Category A clubs only) and total membership (category A & B clubs) to initially group similar sized clubs together
• The objective criteria for band allocation (ranges of club revenue and membership per band) are better defined
• Adoption of consistent subjective criteria- based on membership composition, club activities and level of professionalism
• A national guide for fees (this document) to be published, based on the Yachting Queensland policy produced in 2018.

Banding model

The banded model is based on apportioning a predefined total fee across all ~350 clubs. A club is then allocated to one of 22 bands according to the criteria outlined below. The steps between the fees attached to each band are sufficiently large in order to minimise movement of clubs between bands. If a club grows, it will not be penalised or re-assesed during the 3 year initial phase of this structure. If a club faces severe hardship, it has the ability to seek a review of its fees (details below).

The bands are split into two categories, based on meeting at least two out of three criteria:

1. Professional club management

2. > $200,000 total revenue

3. > 200 total members

Clubs that meet two out of three criteria fall into Category A (bands 1- 12) use an “implied ranking” to derive an objective measure which assists in allocating a club to a band. There are approximately 70 clubs in Category A and they are requested to supply membership income and total revenue data to assist with this process.

All other clubs (approx. 280) are allocated to Category B (bands 13- 22). Membership data is used as the guiding measure and forms the basis of allocating clubs to bands in this category.

Club Fee Determination process

2023-2024 Club Affiliation Fees

All fees include GST

Fee Reviews

A process has been developed to address club requests for a fee review in a nationally consistent manner. Reviews will be considered for one of two reasons- financial hardship or perceived misallocation to a band. Submissions with be considered by Australian Sailing with input from the Regional Manager, a state representative and any other party that AS considers may be relevant to the review. All clubs have the right to appeal if they do not agree with the decision.

Who can request an review?

1. A review based on hardship can only be made by the affected club.

2. A review for band mis-allocation can be made by a club who feels they have been unfairly allocated or by another club who feels a peer club has been mis-allocated.  

A Club that wishes to make a submission to have a peer club’s Band allocation reviewed is required to include the following information:

• Detailed submission explaining why it believes the Band allocation is not equitable
• The clubs proposed solution

Clubs requesting a review will need to make a submission in which the following information is required:

• Explanation as to why the Club believes its fee is not equitable

• Whether the Club is requesting temporary relief (due to financial hardship) or a change of band

• The clubs proposed solution

• 2 x years of financial statements (profit & loss and balance sheet) as provided to members (including all related club entities); and current year to date management accounts.

• 3 x years of membership data (including membership categories)

Clubs are requested to contact your Regional Manager to discuss your situation prior to lodging any request for a review.

Affiliation Fees by Club List and Club Affiliation Fee Guide