About the RACI

Founded in 1917 and incorporated as an association in 2000, the RACI acts as the key body advocating the interests and activities of the chemical sciences with over 4000 members across Australia.

Representing and catering for the needs of all of our members is a priority, whether that's for a first-year graduate or a retiree who still has an active interest in chemistry. Our services and activities range from professional and career development across all chemical sciences sectors, through to regular and engaging networking opportunities.

We also exist to further chemical science knowledge in Australia. This is far-reaching, from creating educational initiatives in secondary and tertiary schools through to communicating the importance of chemistry to the public and government.     

Our Board

The RACI is governed by a Board consisting of up to 9 individuals consisting of 4 elected executive officials, a President, a President Elect, a General Secretary, and a Treasurer plus 3 elected Board members, All are elected by members for a two year term except the President Elect who transistions to the presidency after their initial 2 year term ends.

In addition there are two optional positions for appointed Board members that the Board can select if a certain skill set is lacking in the elected team. The term for the appointed members is at the Boards discretion and can be 1 - 3 years.

Meet the Board

Meet our Board Committee

Our Branch Structure

Our Branch structure is geared towards the specific networking needs of our members across Australia. This includes outreach events to promote the positive aspects of chemistry to the public, to offering educational resources for fostering school students interest in science. We have branches in each of the 6 states as well as the 2 teritories. The larger branches have sub-groups that are interested in a specific aspect of chemical science or activities who provide net working options for like minded individuals.

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Our Division Structure

Our Division structure comprises a number of interest areas each centred around a major branch of knowledge in the chemical sciences. We currently have 13 established divisions and one new developing one.

Through the provisions of conferences, seminars, workshops nd lectures the divisions offers enhanced networking, knowledge sharing and professional development for members in their area of interest. 

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Our Support Team

The RACI thrives due to the volunteer base of the membership however these dedicated people could achive little with out the National Office support team. There are 10 staff members but the majority work part time and the team equates to 6.5 Full Time Equivalents.

There are 4 part time regional coordinators who provide wide ranging administration to the Braches, each looks after a large and a small branch, There's a financial officer who runs P&L accounts for around 70 Branches/Divisins/Groups [and the RACI as a whole], a marketing specialist who looks after all the marketing and communication activites, a membeship officer who looks after all membeship issues, a schools coordinator who looks fter the ICQ and assists with all the other school competitions, an events specialist who looks after awards, Divisional Events and keeps an eye on the office and finally the CEO who services all the staff allowing them and the RACI to function efficiently.  

Meet the Team

 For information on the RACI, download this presentation

At RACI we pride ourselves on our open and transparent governance. That's why we have put in place a stringent set of policies and systems to guide our operations and to hold those in control to account.

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Upcoming Branch Events

All branch events