Advocacy and Research

Membership with Benefits – Clubs Victoria advice, service and assistance

Clubs Victoria’s new policy and research unit keeps members abreast of current issues and future trends affecting the club sector. As a strong advocate Clubs Victoria represents a vast number of clubs making Clubs Victoria the first port of call for government, media, regulators and other sector participants. By maintaining strong links with government Clubs Victoria is able to influence and direct policy that may affect the club sector at both state and national levels. Being a member of Clubs Victoria allows you to become part of this process and contribute to the development of licensed club policy. 

Clubs Victoria provides a voice to all types of clubs emphasising a unified front and concentrating on common issues confronting the sector. Clubs Victoria has a mandate to ensure important issues are heard clearly above the clatter of voices in the market to forge a strong presence within the Victorian community.

(To get access to our government submissions you will need to be logged in)

Advocacy

Clubs Victoria has an advocacy team that provides thought leadership on policy issues impacting clubs and keeping abreast of issues that affect clubs. We represent licensed clubs before Fair Work Australia, the only club organisation to do so. This means when employee issues need representation for employer clubs, Clubs Victoria is the oirganisation registered to do so on behalf of Victorian clubs.

Clubs Victoria co-ordinates member feedback to develop government submissions regarding relevant club operational issues, providing a strong voice for the sector to promote legislation and policy favourable to a strong and prosperous club sector.   

Members save time, energy and money making representations to government by channelling their feedback through Clubs Victoria.  

This benefit is important for a strong voice before Government, Local Government and other business forums allowing members to have their voice heard. Issues which Clubs Victoria works for the sector include: 

• Employment Relations
• Mutual income tax
• Liquor Licensing
• Sporting club income tax exemptions
• Advantageous fringe benefits tax arrangements
• Land tax exemptions
• Reduced rental for council land
• Favourable insurance arrangements
• Protection from employee costs for volunteers
• Exemption from anti-discrimination laws
• Advantages in liquor service hours
• Distribution of EGMs
• Exemption from Community Support Fund contributions.

Clubs Victoria undertakes public relations activities to continually reiterate the positive aspects of clubs within the community, and to create a public image of community clubs conducive to its continued growth in the Victorian community. 

Only Clubs Victoria members are provided with media coverage (where appropriate) in Clubs Victoria publicity campaigns.

Government Representation

Clubs Victoria has regular contact with various Ministersand Departments that may impact on clubs, such as: 

• Liquor Licensing: Liquor Licensing Victoria; Minister for Small Business; Small Business Victoria
• Gaming: Minister for Gaming; Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation
• Sport: Minister for Sport and Recreation; Department of Sport and Recreation; Minister for Racing
• Tourism: Minister for Major Projects and Tourism; Tourism Victoria
• Finance: Treasurer; Minister for Finance; Department of Treasury and Finance; State Revenue Office .
• Other Ministers as required: Minister for Local Government; Minister for Planning; Minister for Post Compulsory Education, Training and Employment; Minister for Health; Minister for WorkCover, Minister or Industrial Relations.

In addition to the ongoing communication with the various jurisdictions, Clubs  Victoria is frequently invited to make representation to government reviews on particular matters that affect the operations of clubs, such as Food Safety Review, Responsible Gaming and Not for Profit Reviews, Liquor laws, Review of smoking in licensed venues.

Research

Clubs Victoria is working closely with researchers to produce member research, providing a snap shot of the club sector in the following categories: Club confidence; Club concerns; profitability and employment; capital expenditure; wages and prices and assessment of Government policies. 

The Clubs Victoria Policy Centre is updated regularly with position statements, policy papers, government submissions and the Clubs Victoria research.

How to Join the Clubs Victoria

Clubs Victoria Membership Team can assist you in a range of areas including quotes on membership and advice on which membership structure will best suit your club and how to get the most out of it. To find out more about becoming a member of Clubs Victoria call 1300 787 852 and speak to our membership team or email admin@clubsvic.org.