Student Membership - Australian Institute of Architects

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 mission

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.

Who can join?

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.

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!

digital Magazine - be inspried

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

National mentoring program

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.

Acumen Practice Notes – Your study companion

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.

HR Hub – Know your rights

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.

Design Competitions and events

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

Networking – Take note

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.

Volunteering Opportunities!

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.

Hearing Architecture podcast

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.

Get Social!

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.

Advocacy – Position yourself

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.

Communities

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.

Latest SONA News

NSW Student Architecture Awards celebrate future of design

28 Mar 2023

A university “free space”, policies and projects to drive more diverse and equitable housing, and planning for new ways to rebuild flood zones were among the winners of the New South Wales Student Architecture Awards for 2022.

The awards 2022 recognise the excellence demonstrated by Graduates, Undergraduates and students of Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degrees across the state, and from the pandemic-impacted years of from 2020 and 2021.

Meet Nick Brown – ACT 2023 SONA Rep

6 Mar 2023

I’m incredibly excited to be appointed to this role and look forward to building on the great work of previous Student Organised Network for Architecture (SONA) representative.

Invitation to SONA members

17 Feb 2023

We invite Victorian SONA members to be volunteers at the Presentations to Juries for the Victorian Architecture Awards in 2023. This year the Victorian Awards program will host all

SONA President’s Message 2023

15 Feb 2023

The role of National SONA President with the Australian Institute of Architects for 2023 is one that I am excited to fulfill this coming year.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NT CHAPTER

19 Dec 2022

A 2022 REPORT FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NT CHAPTER Well, 2022 slipped away quickly, especially after the two previous years of the pandemic. This year Rossi Kourounis took on the

SONA EOY MESSAGE

19 Dec 2022

From the big to the small, each act of kindness helps to build our community and hope for the future. In a world that faces numerous challenges and confrontations, it is important to reflect on and celebrate what we have achieved together.

Contact us

Email the national team at sona@architecture.com.au

For all membership enquiries, contact the membership team.

Enquiry

The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.

We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.

We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.

Statement of Support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and Constitutional Recognition and the Voice to Parliament.

SONA