Australian Acoustical Society

Australian Acoustical Society
Name	Australian Acoustical Society
Abbreviation	AAS
Formation	1966
Region	Australia
Type	Professional society
Headquarters	Sydney

Australian Acoustical Society is a professional association for practitioners and researchers in acoustics, noise control, and sound-related technologies. Established in 1966, the Society brings together engineers, physicists, architects, and audiologists to advance knowledge in areas ranging from architectural acoustics to underwater acoustics. It operates through branches and technical committees to support standards, conferences, and professional development.

History

The Society was founded in 1966 with roots in post‑war engineering communities associated with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales, and Australian National University. Early activities involved collaboration with organisations such as Royal Australian Navy, CSL Limited, Department of Defence (Australia), and industry partners like BHP, reflecting contemporary needs in Royal Australian Air Force acoustic research and marine sonar studies. During the 1970s and 1980s the Society expanded technical scope to include contributions from professionals affiliated with Monash University, University of Adelaide, University of Queensland, Curtin University, and research labs at CSIRO Division of Radiophysics, while engaging with standards bodies such as Standards Australia and international forums like International Commission for Acoustics.

Objectives and Activities

The Society’s objectives include promoting research, informing policy, and disseminating best practice across fields represented by members from Australian Defence Force, Airservices Australia, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Sydney Opera House, and consulting firms linked to AECOM, Arup Group, and WSP Global. Activities encompass technical meetings with contributions from academics at Griffith University, RMIT University, Queensland University of Technology, and practitioners from AECOM Australia, GHD Group, and Ramboll. The Society engages with regulatory and advisory roles alongside entities like Environment Protection and Heritage Council (Australia), Office of National Intelligence (Australia), and industry committees hosted by Standards Australia.

Membership and Structure

Membership comprises fellows, members, associates, students, and corporate affiliates drawn from institutions such as University of Wollongong, Macquarie University, Deakin University, Swinburne University of Technology, and laboratories within Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. Governance is conducted through a national council and branch committees in cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth, with technical panel representation by specialists linked to Australian Acoustical Society Technical Panel-style groups, university research centres, and consulting practices like Tonkin + Taylor and Jacobs Engineering Group. The Society interfaces with professional registration frameworks and accrediting bodies related to engineering practice at Engineers Australia.

Conferences and Publications

The Society organises national conferences and special symposia with proceedings featuring papers by researchers affiliated with International Congress on Acoustics, European Acoustics Association, Acoustical Society of America, and regional partners from New Zealand Acoustical Society. Publications include peer-reviewed conference proceedings and technical newsletters that showcase work from authors at University of Otago, Auckland University of Technology, University of Canterbury, and Australian university laboratories. The Society has promoted special issues and collaborative workshops alongside publishers and journals connected to Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Applied Acoustics, and editorial committees that include contributors from IEEE conferences and standards discussions with ISO committees.

Education and Outreach

Educational programs target students and professionals via short courses, seminars, and public lectures involving faculty from University of Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning, and clinical audiology partners at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital (Sydney). Outreach activities include school engagement with science festivals coordinated with institutions such as Australian Museum, museum exhibitions in partnership with Powerhouse Museum, and community noise awareness initiatives tied to local councils in Randwick, City of Melbourne, and Brisbane City Council. Scholarship and internship links are fostered with industry partners like Downer Group and government laboratories such as Defence Science and Technology Group.

Awards and Recognition

The Society grants medals, certificates, and student prizes that have been awarded to contributors associated with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, leading academics from University of Sydney, Monash University, and practitioners from multinational firms such as AECOM and Arup Group. Awards recognise contributions in areas connected to national projects involving Sydney Opera House refurbishment acoustic studies, environmental noise assessment for infrastructure projects like the Snowy Mountains Scheme, and research collaborations with international bodies including International Commission for Acoustics and Acoustical Society of America.

International and Industry Partnerships

The Society maintains partnerships and reciprocal links with overseas organisations such as Acoustical Society of America, European Acoustics Association, New Zealand Acoustical Society, and collaborative networks involving institutions like National Acoustic Laboratories (Australia), Defence Science and Technology Group, and multinational engineering consultancies including Jacobs Engineering Group and Ramboll. Industry engagement encompasses joint initiatives with broadcasters like Australian Broadcasting Corporation, infrastructure providers such as Sydney Metro, and regulatory coordination with agencies including Standards Australia and regional environmental authorities.

Category:Scientific societies based in Australia Category:Acoustics organizations