The Australian Medical Students’ Association’s (AMSA) mandate is to represent all Australian medical students at a national level. Its 13,000-strong membership is derived from the nation’s nineteen medical schools. As an enrolled medical student at the University of Adelaide, you are automatically a member of AMSA. By contrast to the AMSS, AMSA is largely a medico-political organisation with a focus on advocacy. With representatives sitting on dozens of committees within the health sector, AMSA fights for the rights of all medical students and contributes to policy formation in order to maintain fair and equitable treatment of it members within the medical industry.AMSA is governed by its National Council, comprising an Executive Committee as well as the AMSA Representative and the President of each of Australia’s Medical Students’ Societies (MedSocs). There are three national council meetings a year for the entire committee to meet and discuss relevant issues. The executive is hosted annually by any university or group of universities represented by the association. Each year’s executive is decided by bid process culminating in a national council vote at the final Council meeting of the year before. This year the Executive is based in Sydney, lead by President Tiffany Fulde.
Aside from advocacy, AMSA strives to keep its membership informed of current issues through coordinated updates to its contingent MedSocs via local AMSA reps as well as through its publications Panacea, Embolus and AMSA Exposed. It also connects MedSocs and students across the country through the Council network and its various national events (more later), allowing for knowledge sharing and cooperation at a grass-roots level.
AMSA is one of the biggest and most professional students’ societies in Australia, with an excellent national profile. Furthermore, its vibrant approach to medical student issues and dedication to its members makes it an enviable and enjoyable part of being a medical student. Make the most of your relationship with AMSA while you can.
