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JOIN THE INSTITUTE

The Institute is your dedicated partner in navigating the path from student to architect. 

By becoming a student member of the Australian Institute of Architects, you will better understand how the profession works and get the same access to valuable tools and information as the country’s leading firms and practices. 

A supportive community of like-minded individuals awaits you through the Institutes, Student Organised Network for Architecture (SONA). 

MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY

*Review recognised architecture courses in Australia 

MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY

Discover the benefits of your membership

Free magazines!

Subscription to Architecture Australia magazine, delivered to your door (or digitally)

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Gain an edge for your assignments with access to the same content architects use in practice

NATIONAL MENTORING

Connect with design professionals and discover expert advice through the Mentorloop platform

SOCIAL EVENTS

Meet likeminded people and make life long friends at social and professional networking events

Member rewards

Exclusive member benefits and discounts just for being a member, like discounts on books

Share your work

Have your work published and shared nationally in the student digital zine, de-PICT

Design competitions

Unlock opportunities through member only student competitions like Super Studio

COMMUNITY FORUM

An online forum to exchange ideas, ask for advice and solve design issues with other members

INDUSTRY ACCESS

Exclusive access and connections to industry professionals through the Beyond Uni Program

MEMBERship FEES

Tap for more information

Student Organised Network for Architecture

Who we Are

SONA (Student Organised Network for Architecture) is the national student-membership body of the Australian Institute of Architects. Student members have access to a huge range of support networks and forums, information, resources, events, prizes and competitions. 

There are SONA networks active in all states and territories that are supported by the SONA executive team.

What we stand for

SONA aims to advance the interests of architecture students, their education and the profession as a whole through the promotion of student work and thinking.

SONA members are the new wave of Australian design talent, and we’re set to support tomorrow’s architects with the resources to augment their learning and prepare them for their future careers. By becoming a student member of the Australian Institute of Architects you will gain a better understanding on how the profession works and get the same access to valuable tools and information as the country’s leading firms and practices.

Our Goals

SONA aims to foster a culture of community, leadership and collaboration between students for the advancement of architecture. This is achieved by bringing together students from across the Australia to participate in national and local events, to advocate for students and to offer opportunities for professional development.

SONA members at Bond University O Week 2020

Who can join?

Photographer: Mikael Kristenson

Eligibility

Students enrolled in a Bachelors’s or Master’s program in a recognised architecture or related course in Australia are eligible to apply for SONA membership. Students who deferred from studies for one year are also eligible.
 

Examples of architecture or related courses are, 

  • landscape architecture
  • engineering
  • planning
  • interior design
  • urban design
  • environmental design.

Join the national student-membership body

SONA Membership

$49 annual fee (includes GST)

The 2023 SONA membership year is from 1 December 2022 to 31 December 2023.

See the terms and conditions


All 2023 individual member category rates can be viewed here

Membership renewal

Not active? Login to the portal using your membership number and password to renew your membership today to continue enjoying exclusive benefits and resources. 

Unsure of your member portal username (Institute-registered email address) to access the member portal?  Contact the membership team for assistance.

See the terms and conditions

$49 ANNUAL FEE
STUDENTS IN AUSTRALIA

(Incl GST)

Join Now

$45 ANNUAL FEE
STUDENTS OVERSEAS

(Excl GST)

Join Now

HOW TO APPLY

1. Complete application form

The application will take 10 minutes to complete. Please have your student ID handy!

2. SUBMIT APPLICATION FORM

Complete your application form and online payment.

3. Membership approved

Look out for your welcome email with your new membership details. We will email you if we need more information.

4. enjoy your membership

Start accessing membership benefits right away.

MEMBERSHIP FAQ

SONA is the official national student-membership body of the Australian Institute of Architects.

SONA enhances your student membership with the Institute by bringing students together from across  Australia to participate in national and local events, advocate for students, and offer opportunities for professional development.

Congratulations on finishing your Masters of Architecture course!

You may be eligible to elevate to a graduate member. To do this, simply complete the category elevation request form   with a certified copy of your graduation certificate or your official academic transcript verifying the successful completion of your course. 

Now you have graduated, A supportive community of like-minded individuals awaits you through the Institutes, Emerging Architects and Graduates Network (EmAGN). 

You can still retain your student membership if you are enrolled in a bachelor degree (or higher) course of study in a built-environment related field or deferred from your studies.

If you are not sure, email the membership team membership@architecture.com.au 

Your account may be locked, you may have created an account using an inactive email address, or you have a duplicate account with the institute. 

We can help with all of this (and more), send an email to membership@architecture.com.au 

Student membership is not available to, 

  • Those studying Post Graduate studies after a Master’s of Architecture eg. Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, PhD etc. You may be interested  in other membership categories 
  • Those studying undergraduate TAFE course that provide advanced standing entry to the B Arch/M Arch. 

refer here for SONA eligibility 

Membership benefits

SHAPE YOUR FUTURE

Being a SONA member helps connect you with the profession, helping you shape your future career.

By becoming a student member of the Australian Institute of Architects you will gain a better understanding of how the profession works and get the same access to valuable tools and information as the country’s leading firms and practices.

SONA members have access to valuable information, tools and opportunities to develop knowledge and confidence to enter the profession and make an impact! 

Receive Architecture Australia and Architectural Product News digital magazines free for the duration of your membership.

A voice of encouragement when you have doubts – a mentor is someone you can bounce ideas off and get a push in the right direction.

Receive free access to the Acumen Practice Notes, a wealth of practice notes and useful information for assignments and life-long learning. As a SONA member you can familiarise yourself with products the professionals use. 

Receive free access to advice and guidance on employment issues, find links to agencies and services that can offer support and assistance at all stages of your career and your life.  Learn techniques to reach a healthy work/study life balance.

Push your creativity and design skills to the next level by participating in Upscale & Super Studio (linked to pages). Participation if free for SONA members.

Newsletter – stay up to date

Receive SONA e-news bi-monthly to your inbox, keeping you updated on national wide events, competitions, prizes, policies and industry news

SONA connects you to your peers and the profession through local and national events and competitions.

SONA Members can access ‘Community’ – an online discussion and resources platform where you can communicate and connect on important topics with fellow members.

Be involved in our National architecture conference as a student volunteer. SONA members are always invited to lend a hand so keep an eye out for more details.

An podcast series launched by EmAGN interviewing leading architects. An ideal resource for students entering the world of architecture and wanting to better understand what it means to be an architect in Australia today.

SONA membership makes it easy for you to meet professionals and students from other year levels and universities. Make sure you follow SONA on social media and visit the website regularly.

SONA executive and SONA representatives advocate on behalf of students In 2020, with the theme of renew,  SONA will be actively engaged in addressing issues of sustainability, resilience and strength in both the environment and the community that works and learns within it.

Brand new in 2021 SONA members will have access to the Institute communities platform. 

This is a new online discussion and resources platform where you can communicate and connect on important topics with fellow members and continue to access these discussions via a dedicated Resource Library. 

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Contact us

Have further questions? Contact our membership team.

Phone: 1800 770 617

Email: membership@architecture.com.au

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