Who is APESMA?

The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia (APESMA) is the largest national non-profit organisation representing professional employees. APESMA represents:

engineers
scientists
managers
and many other professionals

architects
IT professionals
pharmacists

veterinarians
surveyors
collieries staff

Our 25,000+ members are found in all areas of public and private employment across Australia. Members range from senior managers, and employees of the largest enterprises, to the self employed and recent graduates. We also promote your professions to the next generation of professionals, with over 15,000 student members.

APESMA is a non-profit organisation which operates for the benefit of its members. We have a staff of over 110 experienced professionals, including over 70 experts in workplace, legal, and professional remuneration matters, as well as an extensive network of active members. Identify your contacts on our contacts page.

No other professional organisation can offer you such practical information, representation and advice on employment and career advancement issues.

Structure

APESMA members are encouraged to become involved in the management of the Association and participate in setting our direction.

This includes special interest groups, local Branch and National Division Committees, National Assembly and a National Board.

APESMA's CEO, Chris Walton, joined the organisation in October 2008. Prior to that, he was Assistant Secretary of the ACTU. During his 14 years at the ACTU he was at the forefront of the transformation of the union movement in Australia. He designed and coordinated the highly successful ‘Your Rights at Work’ community campaign and has been a leader in the thinking on how membership can be built and developed in Australia. Chris has a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Grad Diploma in Labour Law. He is married with two school aged children.

History

APESMA celebrated its 60th anniversary of foundation in 2006. APESMA is the result of mergers between the following organisations (year of merger in brackets):

The Association of Professional Engineers, Australia (founded 1946, registered 1948)
The Association of Professional Scientists, Australia (registered 1962, merged 1991)
The Local Government Engineers Association of New South Wales (1991)
Senior Managers (Telstra & Australia Post) Association (1994)
ABC Senior Executives Association (1994)
Association of Architects of Australia (1995)
Salaried Pharmacists Association (1997)
Association of Railway Professional Officers of Australia (1997)
Australian Collieries' Staff Association (2001)
Managers & Professionals Association (2004)
Professional Officers' Association (Victoria) (2006)

Relationships with other bodies

APESMA maintains close ties with professional bodies including the Institution of Engineers, Australia and the science-related learned societies. These continuing links reinforce the professional identity of APESMA members. They include:

Mutual Recognition and Support agreement with Engineers Australia and Australian Consulting Engineers Association
Founding Member of the National Professional Engineering Registration Board
Affiliation with the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies
MOU with the Australian Computer Society
APESMA is a service provider for many professional bodies

Recognition for our achievements

Engineering Excellence Award for our Chifley Business School
Selected as "Australia's Best Union" by a panel of experts assembled by The Australian newspaper.

APESMA: Meeting the challenges for professionals in the 21st century

Continuing to be a strong and respected voice for the professional workforce was the key issue at APESMA’s National Assembly in October 2008.

The National Assembly identified strategies to enhance the leadership of professionals in a changing national and international economy.

Our success will be determined by our response to the opportunities and challenges that a rapidly changing world creates. By responding strategically, APESMA will continue to represent the interests of our members through influence within the community, industry and the professions and by maintaining and improving our traditional strengths as an industrial association.

The October 2008 National Assembly determined an action plan through discussion and debate around the following themes and topics:

Our challenges
Our vision
Listening, learning and acting
Building on success
Steps to success
Initial steps