Join the Bar Association

Membership Class A and B

Being a member of the Bar Association and holding a NSW barrister's practising certificate are distinctly separate. The Bar Association's Constitution provides that only local barristers holding a current NSW practising certificate can be a ‘Class A' member of the Bar Association. However, the Constitution also provides for ‘Class B' membership open to any interstate practitioners, judges or retirees. 

Reasons to become a member

Member services and benefits

The Bar Association provides a variety of services and benefits, which help members to: promote their skills and experience as advocates to prospective clients; better manage their practice; care for their health and wellbeing; balance family and work commitments; cope in times of personal hardship, tragedy or ill-health; and foster a sense of collegiality at the bar. 

As a member of the Bar Association, if you have a practising certificate and approved professional indemnity insurance, your liability for damages is limited to $1.5 million by virtue of The New South Wales Bar Association's Professional Standards Scheme. Members also have access to childcare, fee recovery assistance, a first-rate benefits program and more.

Voting rights

Class A members with a current NSW practising certificate are eligible to stand for and vote at the annual Bar Council elections

Applications

Should you wish to apply to become a member of the Bar Association, please complete an application form  and return in the post to:

The Certification Officer
The New South Wales Bar Association
Selborne Chambers
174 Phillip Street
Sydney 2000
DX 1204  |  Fax: (02) 9221 1149  | certification@nswbar.asn.au

The membership year runs from 1 July to 30 June.