About the Australian Society of Anaesthetists
Formed in 1934, the Australian Society of Anaesthetists is a not-for-profit, member-funded organisation dedicated to supporting, representing and educating anaesthetists to ensure the safest possible anaesthesia for the community.
We have been proudly been supporting anaesthetists for 90 years. We work with and for our members to ensure the high standards of the profession.
Proudly supporting anaesthetists since 1934
Supporting
Offering comprehensive services to anaesthetists, ensuring they have the resources needed to deliver safe and effective anaesthesia to the community.
Representing
Actively addressing professional and economic issues that impact on members in public and private practice across urban, regional and remote Australia
Educating
Providing a broad range of high-quality educational services, workshops, masterclasses, events, CPD activities, resources and opportunities.
For over 90 years the ASA has been the voice for
Australian Anaesthetists and their patients.
Our commitment
Providing the community with safe anaesthesia and enabling anaesthetists to:
Deliver safe, high-quality patient care
Engage in planning and delivering health care services
Comply with professional obligations
Deliver cutting-edge medical education, research and publications
Protect their personal health and wellbeing
Lead advocacy on economic, industrial and workplace issues
Provide philanthropic service and contribution to developing countries
Preserve the rich history of anaesthesia in Australia
Latest news
ASA President discusses specialist fees on ABC Radio Melbourne Mornings
This morning ASA President, Dr Vida Viliunas, was interviewed by Rafael Epstein on the ABC Melbourne Mornings program about specialist fees and patient out-of-pocket costs. Dr Viliunas says the ASA
Australia’s public hospitals still under significant strain
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has just released reporting that tracks elective surgery data to assess public hospital performance and patient access to care. The latest snapshot
Getting to the facts on specialist fees
The Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) notes recent media reporting that seeks to confuse, cloud and mis-represent medical specialists through simplified and often emotive statements that lack clinical context. These
Australian anaesthetists – smarter, better care
The ASA welcomes thoughtful discussion on how to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of Australia’s health system while ensuring equitable, timely access to high-quality care. A central element of any
ABS Confirms Fewer Australians Delaying Medical Specialist Care Due to Cost
Sydney 20 November 2025: Data released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows an encouraging fall in the proportion of Australians delaying or not using selected health
Australian Society of Anaesthetists responds to Private Health Australia’s claims on out-of-pocket costs
The Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) is responding to a recent statement from Private Healthcare Australia (PHA) regarding the growth in out-of-pocket (OOP) costs by ‘medical specialists’. While there is
