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Australian
Cinematographers
Society
Become a Member

The ACS caters for many levels of industry involvement.
All members join an ACS state or territory branch that best aligns to their place of business or residence, or closest association if based internationally.

You will need to choose your ACS Membership level, and upload supporting documentation showing proof of eligibility to the ACS.

Please have your documents ready at the time of applying.

Need assistance?

If you need assistance with your membership application please contact the Branch President in your State or Territory. Contact us.

More about the ACS membership on cinematographer.org.au >>>

Choose an option:

Apply for ACS
Membership

Renew my
ACS Membership

Apply for Accredited
ACS Membership

Change to a Retired
ACS Membership

Which is the correct Membership level for me?

You will need to choose your most appropriate level of membership, based on eligibility criteria such as working history, or student status.

The common levels of membership are:-

  • Student (I am an enrolled student, or gaining work experience with an industry company, or passionate about cinematography)
  • Associate (I am NOT in the Camera Department, however my work relates to cinematography)
  • Camera Crew (I am a Cinematographer with less than 5 years experience)
  • Full (My primary form of employment has been as cinematographer during the last 5 years)
  • Accredited (I have worked professionally as a cinematographer for at least 8 years, and a full Member of the ACS for at least 3 years)
  • Retired (I am aged over 50, retired, and have remained either a Full or Camera Crew  Member for at least 10 years consecutively)

Each application requires proof of eligibility to the ACS.

This may be in the form of Student ID, CV, Employment History and Referees, which can be uploaded during the application process.

Read more about our Membership levels here.

ACS Membership Renewals

Memberships held within the past 12 months

If you have held an ACS Membership within the past 12 months, then you do not need to reapply. You can renew your ACS Membership by paying the invoice emailed to you on the 1st June.

If you are unable to find the invoice, you will need to contact your Branch in your State or Territory. Once the invoice is paid, your membership will be reactivated, without needing further approval from the branch. 

Memberships that expired over 12 months ago

If your Membership expired over 12 months ago, then you will need to reapply so that we can reassess your membership eligibility.
You can reapply online by clicking here.

Once your application is received, your membership will be assessed and reactivated, following approval from your branch. You will be refunded if your application is unsuccessful.

Accredited Memberships

To gain ACS Accreditation, a Full Member must have been a professional Cinematographer for 8 years including at least 3 years as a Full member and must submit a representational body of their work to the Accreditation Panel for appraisal. This specially convened group makes assessments on the standard of lighting, composition, operating and camera movement.

Consideration is also given to the cinematic approach in relation to the script and subject matter. This body of work must show more than just professional competence, it must clearly demonstrate creativity and aesthetic innovation.

To receive Accreditation is the highest honour, and it is the intention of the Society to ensure that any cinematographer so honoured, and thus entitled to use the letters ACS after their name, will be capable of performing work of an international standard. The use of the ACS letters after a person’s name is exclusively reserved for those who have received an Accredited membership.

Eligible Full Members wishing to apply for ACS Accreditation will need to contact their Branch President.

Learn more about applying for ACS Accreditation »

Retired Memberships

A Retired Member is a member, aged over 50, with ten years’ standing or more who has been a Full or Camera Crew* member, and due to age or illness has retired from active participation in cinematography and is no longer employed in any capacity. Approved Retired Members are not liable for membership fees.

* Please note that Camera Crew memberships were formerly called Active memberships.

Eligible members wishing to apply for ACS Retired Membership will need to contact their Branch President.