• Schools may join for the sole reason that they wish to be part of the government-recognised body in Australia.
• The organisation has been around for more than 50 years, and has a history in Australia that goes back 100 years.
• The AJF is the only organisation through which access is available to the national coaching accreditation scheme (NCAS) for martial arts represented by the AJF. Attaining accreditation has over the past years become increasingly more important.

• Some see benefits in networking with other member schools, or the assistance that can be available with the development of their own school.
• The opportunity to train with other members and learn new techniques and skills.
• While schools retain their own grading authority, the AJF provides for grade recognition plus assistance with gradings.
• Schools with an interest in sport jujitsu or Brazilian Jiu jitsu may wish to have access to international competition.

• Schools as part of their marketing, may see benefits in achieving a certificate of accreditation for their dojo location, this certificate has approval to include the ‘Australian Coat of Arms’
• The benefit of having access to AJF documentation and codes of conduct approved by the Australian Sports Commission.
• Schools may join because they wish to be seen within the community as a responsible organisation or citizen, acknowledging their ‘duty of care’.

• The AJF has a National Insurance Plan in which member schools can choose to participate. An important consideration for all schools, coaches and students.
• Schools may recognise that membership can be a significant part of their risk management both in taking all reasonable steps to protect against the possibility of litigation and as argument in the event of litigation.
• Members also recognise the benefit of being listed on the AJF website, and access to the Members Library.
• Access to the members library includes access to many Technical Papers that are available to members
• All ‘member school’s’ are equal and have 1 vote regardless of student numbers.

• Membership includes a webpage – Plus contact details for all member’s within a State are provided whenever an inquiry is received.
• The AJF provides for specific interest groups to form a council. Currently these include: Australian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Council; Australian Sport Jujitsu Council; Australian Koryû Jûjutsu Council; Australian Aikido Council; Australian Hapkido Council; and Australian Kenpo Jujitsu Council.
• Membership fees are modest with one annual fee; unlike many organisations there are no fees to be paid by individual members within your school.

• The AJF is a non-profit incorporated association, all office bearers are elected to honorary positions and no one is paid.

For some a reason not to join the AJF

• The AJF may on request, provide grading assistance to members. However, the AJF does not give away dan gradings to entice membership. Member schools need to have or to put in place a credible grading system.

Details on becoming a member school