SECTION 1 | About Coeliac Australia, who we support, and why membership matters
1. Why is Coeliac Australia important?
Coeliac disease is a lifelong autoimmune condition requiring strict dietary management.
Coeliac Australia provides a coordinated national approach to advocacy, education, research collaboration, and food safety programs.
It is the only national organisation in Australia dedicated specifically to supporting people living with coeliac disease in this way.
Coeliac Australia exists to provide national coordination, trusted information, and advocacy for people living with coeliac disease across Australia, supported by the people it serves.
Coeliac Australia is a registered Australian charity providing trusted, evidence-based information and support for people living with coeliac disease.
Membership helps sustain these national services over time.
2. Who does Coeliac Australia support?
Coeliac Australia supports people living with coeliac disease, as well as others who require a medically prescribed gluten free diet.
This includes people with coeliac disease, those with related conditions such as Dermatitis Herpetiformis, and individuals who have been advised by a medical professional to follow a gluten free diet.
Support also extends to families, carers, and others who play an important role in helping someone manage their condition.
The focus is on providing trusted information, education, and national support for anyone who needs to follow a gluten free diet for medical reasons.
3. How is Coeliac Australia different from online influencers or informal sources?
Coeliac Australia is an independent not for profit organisation.
It is not influenced by advertising, affiliate marketing, or commercial product promotion.
Its information is developed with medical and allied health expertise and governed under charitable and regulatory standards.
All information is developed with clinical and expert input and is designed to be independent, evidence-based, and free from commercial influence.
4. What does Coeliac Australia membership provide?
Membership supports nationally coordinated services that are not replicated elsewhere in Australia.
It supports people throughout their entire coeliac journey, from diagnosis through long-term management.
5. Why does membership matter beyond benefits?
Membership enables the continuation of national services that support people at every stage of life with coeliac disease, from diagnosis through long-term management.
These services are only possible through member support and community funding.
It ensures Coeliac Australia can continue operating as a sustainable national charity.
6. How does member support help sustain Coeliac Australia?
Coeliac Australia plays an important role in coordinating national advocacy, education, and support for people living with coeliac disease.
These services exist because they are supported by members and the wider community across Australia
SECTION 2 | Membership value, renewal, benefits, and funding
7. Why should I renew my membership?
Renewing your membership helps support the ongoing work of Coeliac Australia, which has supported people living with coeliac disease in Australia for more than 45 years.
For many members, staying connected provides ongoing confidence and reassurance in managing coeliac disease throughout life, not just at diagnosis.
Membership helps ensure there is a trusted national organisation providing education, advocacy, and support for the coeliac community across Australia.
Coeliac Australia exists to provide national coordination, trusted information, and advocacy for people living with coeliac disease across Australia, supported by the people it serves.
8. What does my membership support?
Your membership is reinvested into national programs including:
- advocacy with government and health bodies
- medically informed education and resources
- support across all stages of coeliac disease
- research collaboration
- food safety accreditation and endorsement programs
- national awareness and community initiatives
These programs support people living with coeliac disease at every stage of their journey.
9. What benefits do I receive as a member?
Membership includes access to:
- educational resources and practical guides
- member publications and updates
- newsletters and digital information
- online member portal resources
- invitations to selected programs, initiatives and events
- member offers and discounts where available
These benefits support both immediate needs and long-term management.
10. What does membership actually fund?
Membership supports national programs including:
- advocacy and policy engagement
- medically informed education
- support across all stages of coeliac disease
- research collaboration
- food safety accreditation and endorsement programs
- community engagement and awareness initiatives
11. Why has the membership fee increased?
The membership fee increase reflects rising costs associated with delivering national services.
This adjustment ensures continued delivery of advocacy, education, research collaboration, and food safety programs.
This adjustment ensures Coeliac Australia can continue delivering essential national services and support for people living with coeliac disease into the future.
12. Can I claim my membership through my private health fund?
Some private health insurers may reimburse part of membership fees depending on your policy.
This is not guaranteed and is determined by your insurer, not Coeliac Australia.
We recommend checking directly with your health fund before renewing, as policies may change over time.
Section 3 | Joining, renewing, cancellation, payment, and refunds
13. What happens if I do not renew my membership?
If membership is not renewed, access to member services may be paused after the applicable grace period.
Membership supports national programs. If membership lapses, access to member resources and communications may no longer be available.
After an extended period, rejoining may be required.
14. Can I cancel my membership?
Yes. You can cancel your membership at any time by contacting Coeliac Australia.
Your membership will remain active until the end of your current paid term.
15. Do I receive a refund if I cancel?
Refunds are not generally provided for partial membership periods unless required under Australian Consumer Law or in specific exceptional circumstances.
Membership fees support annual national programs and services.
16. How does membership payment work?
Membership is paid annually and supports the ongoing work of Coeliac Australia.
Where applicable, memberships may renew on an annual basis unless cancelled before the renewal date.
If a payment cannot be processed, membership access may be paused until the account is updated.
Members can manage payment details or update preferences by contacting Coeliac Australia through available channels.
17. Does my Membership fee include GST
Yes all membership fees include GST.
18. Who can vote at the AGM?
Only financial Members, as defined under the Constitution, are eligible to vote at the Annual General Meeting. Affiliate Members and Subscribers do not have voting rights.
Section 4. Advocacy, research, privacy, and clinical information
19. What does government advocacy involve?
Advocacy is a core part of Coeliac Australia’s work.
It involves engaging with government and health organisations to improve outcomes for people living with coeliac disease, including:
- improving diagnosis pathways
- strengthening food safety standards
- contributing to health policy development
- supporting awareness and education initiatives
From time to time, members may be invited to participate in optional surveys or awareness activities. Participation is always voluntary.
20. What about clinical trials, research participation and my privacy?
From time to time, Coeliac Australia may share information about ethically approved clinical trials or research studies relevant to people living with coeliac disease.
These opportunities are always voluntary and are provided for awareness only.
Coeliac Australia does not sell personal data or provide personal information to research organisations for commercial purposes.
Participation in research is managed by independent researchers under their own ethics approvals.
Members can manage communication preferences at any time through the preference centre.
21. What support is available if I have just been diagnosed?
If you have recently been diagnosed or told you need to follow a gluten free diet, Coeliac Australia provides practical and reliable support to help you get started.
This includes:
- guidance on living gluten free safely
- understanding food labels and cross contact risks
- starter resources and educational materials
- updates on research and clinical information
- support for conversations with health professionals
22. Does Coeliac Australia support people only at diagnosis?
No. Coeliac Australia supports people throughout their entire journey with coeliac disease.
While many people first connect after diagnosis, support continues long term, including ongoing education, updated information, and practical guidance for everyday life.
Coeliac disease is a lifelong condition, and support is designed to reflect that reality.