Joining AMA Victoria isn’t just a membership—it’s a proactive step to protect your career and earning potential. By starting and maintaining your AMAV membership throughout your career, you ensure immediate support to address workplace challenges and protect entitlements, free from the limitations of pre-existing issues. Essentially AMAV membership is insurance for your career!
So, what constitutes a pre-existing issue and why is maintaining your membership essential?
What is a pre-existing issue?
A pre-existing issue includes any workplace problem, dispute, or condition active before your AMA Victoria membership start date, or during a period of time where your membership lapsed. These issues are not covered, meaning support for disputes or challenges that arose either before joining, or during a period of lapsed membership, is unavailable.
If you face a concern at work and think, “I’ll check with AMA Victoria,” remember, you must already be a member for support on that issue.
Practical examples of ‘pre-existing issues’
- Workplace conflicts: Existing disputes with administration or colleagues over roles or responsibilities are considered pre-existing.
- Performance issues: If you’re under review or have a performance plan in place before joining, support won’t apply.
- Harassment claims: Historical harassment or discrimination claims initiated before membership aren’t covered.
- Entitlement issues: Unpaid overtime or denied leave claims that started before joining fall under pre-existing limitations.
- Certificate of Service (CoS): Assistance in obtaining a CoS requires you to be a member during the period the CoS covers.
- Rostering adjustments: If there’s a late roster change, AMA Victoria offers guidance—but only if you’re an active member.
Why maintaining membership matters
Starting and maintaining AMA Victoria membership from day one ensures comprehensive support throughout your career. You gain immediate access to expert advocacy, guidance on entitlements, and assistance with new issues as they arise. Proactive membership prevents minor issues from escalating, giving you confidence that you’re covered for unforeseen challenges.
Secure your future by maintaining your AMA Victoria membership to avoid pre-existing limitations and protect your career.