The Australian Society of Orthodontists (ASO) is the professional association for orthodontists. The organization has many objectives like maintaining the study and clinical advancement of orthodontics, to maintain high ethical and profession standards for orthodontics, to support, protect and advance the character and interest of orthodontics, to pursue and advance this branch of dentistry namely orthodontics, to provide guidance to members of orthodontics regarding their profession and practice, to grant affiliation with any body or association on terms and conditions which will benefit the further objectives of the society, to keep all the state branches informed with all relevant and significant issues regarding the practice of orthodontics and to do all things lawfully so as to maintain the above objectives. A person is eligible for membership if he/she is a member of the state branch where he practices or if he/she is a member of an approved professional organization of dentists.
The Australian council has approved the ASO thus making it the body of highest authority in dentistry. Any orthodontist setting up practice in Australia needs to become a member of the ASO.A person may become a full member of the Australian association of orthodontists if is a Registered Orthodontist if he is a Permanent Resident of Australia, has successfully completed an Approved Orthodontic Course and all applicants must produce a certificate of good standing from the Dental Board with whom the applicant is registered as a dentist or specialist. A person may be a Semi-Retired Member if that person is a Registered Orthodontist, is a Permanent Resident of Australia, has successfully completed an Approved Orthodontic Course, all applicants must produce a certificate of good standing from the Dental Board with whom the applicant is registered as a dentist or specialist, practices orthodontics for two days per week on average or its equivalent and/or is engaged in the teaching of orthodontics for a half day per week or its equivalent or less and has reached the age of 55 years or more or has been a full member for 25 years in total or more. There is also a overseas membership for orthodontists practicing outside Australia.