1. OVERVIEW
These Terms explain how membership, donations, communications, advocacy, research participation, and accreditation programs operate in Coeliac Australia.
Coeliac Australia is a not-for-profit, purpose-driven organisation supporting people living with coeliac disease in Australia and others who require a medically prescribed gluten-free diet, including individuals with dermatitis herpetiformis, through education, advocacy, community support, and research collaboration. It is not a clinical service provider.
Coeliac Australia does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment, or individual healthcare services.
Coeliac Australia operates on a not-for-profit model. All funds received, including membership fees, donations, and program income, are applied to advancing its charitable purpose. Any surplus is reinvested into programs, services, research collaboration, advocacy, and community support for people living with coeliac disease in Australia.
While members receive benefits, Coeliac Australia exists to serve the broader community of people living with coeliac disease in Australia.
Membership provides access to evidence-informed educational resources, community programs, advocacy updates, and support services relating to coeliac disease.
Information provided is general in nature and developed in collaboration with medical and allied health professionals. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or provide personalised clinical advice.
Members should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional (including a GP, gastroenterologist, dietitian, or other relevant allied health practitioner) for individual health concerns.
Nothing in these Terms replaces rights or protections available under Australian Consumer Law.
These Terms govern membership, renewals, payments, cancellations, donations, communications, advocacy engagement, research participation, and endorsement and accreditation programs.
2. MEMBERSHIP TERM
Membership operates on an annual cycle unless otherwise stated.
Membership is offered on a 12-month basis unless otherwise stated.
Membership benefits commence upon payment and continue until the end of the membership term.
3. MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES
Membership is offered in categories that reflect eligibility and governance rights.
3.1 Members
Individuals who meet eligibility criteria under the Constitution and hold full membership rights, including voting rights where applicable.
Membership eligibility and voting rights are governed by the Constitution.
3.2 Affiliate Members
Individuals who receive the same service benefits and pricing as Members but do not hold voting rights under the Constitution.
Affiliate Members receive services and benefits but do not hold voting rights.
3.3 Subscribers
Individuals who receive selected communications only where consent is provided and do not hold membership rights, benefits, or governance rights.
4. MEMBERSHIP FEES AND PURPOSE
Membership fees support Coeliac Australia’s charitable purpose and service delivery.
Membership fees are applied to support Coeliac Australia’s work, including:
- education and awareness programs
- advocacy and policy engagement
- community support services
- medically informed educational content
- medical research collaboration into diagnosis, treatment, and improved management of coeliac disease
- endorsement and accreditation programs for relevant products and services
- membership and community programs including publications, events, expos, member portal and engagement initiatives
Accreditation or endorsement does not represent a clinical certification and does not replace individual medical or dietary advice.
Accreditation or endorsement does not guarantee absolute safety, eliminate risk of gluten exposure, or certify products as gluten-free under all conditions. It applies only to the assessed scope at the time of review.
Fees are reviewed periodically with consideration of sustainability, affordability, and member value.
Any changes apply prospectively and will be communicated in advance.
All membership fees are quoted and charged in Australian dollars and are inclusive of GST unless otherwise stated.
Coeliac Australia may offer different membership pricing categories, including standard and concession pricing.
Concession pricing may be available to eligible individuals including pensioners, concession card holders, students, or others determined by Coeliac Australia from time to time.
Coeliac Australia may request reasonable evidence of eligibility for concession pricing.
Eligibility requirements and applicable pricing categories may be updated from time to time and will be published through appropriate membership channels.
5. RENEWALS AND RECURRENT PAYMENTS
5.1 Renewal Methods
Members may renew their membership using multiple approved channels. Members and Affiliate Members may renew via:- online
- telephone
5.2 Automatic Renewal
Where selected, membership will renew annually and the nominated payment method will be charged unless cancelled prior to renewal. Advance notice will be provided before renewal processing. Members may cancel automatic renewal at any time before the renewal processing date. Members may opt out of automatic renewal at any time prior to renewal.5.3 Lapsed Memberships
If membership is not renewed by the expiry date, membership benefits continue for a grace period of up to 30 days unless otherwise stated. After 30 days, membership is considered lapsed and access to member-only services and digital platforms, including the member portal, may be removed or restricted. Lapsed members are not entitled to continue receiving member-only benefits or pricing. Members who are not financially current are not eligible to vote at meetings of the organisation, including the Annual General Meeting, in accordance with the Constitution. If membership remains unrenewed for 12 months or more, the individual may be required to rejoin as a new member and applicable joining or rejoining fees may apply. Coeliac Australia may retain historical membership records in accordance with legal and operational requirements.6. PAYMENTS
6.1 Failed Payments and Retry Processing
Where a payment using a nominated payment method is unsuccessful, including for membership renewals or recurring donations, Coeliac Australia may:- notify the member or donor of the failed payment
- attempt to reprocess the payment using the nominated payment method
- make additional reasonable retry attempts over a period of up to 30 days for membership payments and up to 150 days for recurring donations
6.2 Membership Status During Retry Period
During the payment retry period, membership benefits may continue or be placed in a pending status at Coeliac Australia’s discretion. Recurring donations may also remain pending until payment is successfully processed or cancelled. If payment is successfully processed within the retry period, membership continues uninterrupted. If payment remains unsuccessful after the retry period has ended, membership may be suspended or lapsed in accordance with Section 5.3 (Lapsed Memberships).7. WELCOME KIT
Welcome kits may be provided as part of membership onboarding.
New Members and Affiliate Members may receive a welcome kit.
Membership fees are generally non-refundable once benefits have been accessed or dispatched.
8. CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS
Members may cancel at any time using approved contact methods.
Members may cancel via email, online member services, or mail.
Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current membership term.
No pro-rata refunds apply unless required by Australian Consumer Law or otherwise determined by Coeliac Australia.
Nothing in these Terms limits rights under Australian Consumer Law.
Members may contact Coeliac Australia to discuss exceptional circumstances or payment concerns.
Refunds may be provided where required by law or in exceptional circumstances.
Full refund policy available here
Cancellation does not affect benefits already delivered or payments already processed.
9. DONATIONS
- medical research into diagnosis, treatment, and improved outcomes
- education and awareness initiatives
- advocacy and policy engagement
- community support services
10. COMMUNICATIONS AND CONSENT
Communications are delivered based on purpose and consent. Consent may be withdrawn at any time without impact on membership status.
10.1 Service Communications
These communications include membership administration, renewals, payments, service updates, and general educational information and are necessary for Coeliac Australia to provide membership services.
All health content is general in nature and not a substitute for clinical advice.
10.2 Education Communications
Include research updates, educational content, and community programs.
10.3 Promotional Communications
Include partner offers, discounts, and third-party promotions.
These are opt-in only and consent may be withdrawn at any time.
Promotional communications are optional and based on consent preferences.
10.4 Advocacy and Engagement Communications
Include awareness campaigns, petitions, submissions, and government advocacy initiatives.
Participation is voluntary and may range from awareness updates through to active engagement requests.
10.5 Clinical Trials and Research Participation
Coeliac Australia may communicate opportunities for clinical trials, research studies, and related health research initiatives.
Research opportunities are generally expected to have appropriate ethics approval from a recognised Human Research Ethics Committee or equivalent body.
Coeliac Australia does not sell personal information or provide member data directly to researchers for recruitment unless required by law or separately authorised.
Participation is voluntary and independent of membership status.
Research participation does not affect access to membership services or benefits.
10.6 Subscribers
Subscribers receive communications only where consent is provided and do not receive membership benefits or governance communications.
11. PRIVACY
Personal information is managed securely and in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
Information is not sold to third parties.
Coeliac Australia does not sell member or subscriber data to researchers, commercial organisations, or third parties.
Members and subscribers may update communication preferences or unsubscribe from non-essential communications at any time.
Full Privacy Policy available here
12. BRAND AND THIRD-PARTY USE
Use of branding requires approval.
Membership or subscription does not imply endorsement of third parties.
Use of Coeliac Australia branding, logos, publications, or materials requires prior written approval unless otherwise permitted by law.
13. ENDORSEMENT AND ACCREDITATION
Coeliac Australia operates endorsement and accreditation programs for products and food service environments relevant to coeliac disease.
13.1 Endorsement Program
Applies to eligible products assessed against program requirements at the time of review.
Assessment may include ingredient information, manufacturing processes, and testing evidence.
Endorsement does not guarantee absolute safety and applies only to approved scope at time of assessment.
Participants remain responsible for ongoing compliance with food standards and program requirements.
13.2 Accreditation Program
Applies to food service businesses including restaurants, cafes, bakeries, food trucks, caterers, and similar venues.
Assessment may include food handling, operational processes, staff training, menu review, and risk controls.
Accreditation does not guarantee absence of gluten exposure risk and does not eliminate risks arising from human error, supplier changes, or cross-contact.
Consumers remain responsible for personal decision-making.
Participants remain responsible for ongoing compliance.
13.3 Program Governance
Coeliac Australia may amend, suspend, or withdraw endorsement or accreditation where requirements are not met or where risk, integrity, or consumer confidence may be impacted.
Participation does not create a partnership, agency, or guarantee relationship
14. MEMBERSHIP CONDUCT
- threatens safety or wellbeing
- disrupts services or events
- involves harassment, abuse, or intimidation
- misuses organisational services
- damages organisational integrity or reputation
15. CHANGES TO TERMS
These Terms may be updated from time to time. Material changes will be communicated where reasonably practicable before taking effect.
16. GOVERNING PRINCIPLES
The Board retains ultimate responsibility for governance, strategic direction, and stewardship of all funds and programs.
These Terms align with key governance and ethical frameworks:
ACNC governance standards
ADMA communication principles
FIA ethical fundraising principles
Australian Consumer Law principles and protections.