The Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) is the national peak organisation representing the state and territory drug user organisations and issues of national significance for people who use or have used illicit drugs. You can find our Member Organisations on the menu to your left and above. AIVL is a peer-based organisation, which means that it is run by and for people who use or have used illicit drugs. You can access our Objectives (PDF, 11KB) or our entire Constitution (PDF, 280KB).

AIVL always remains open to new membership applications from suitable groups who meet the membership criteria. AIVL currently has three levels of membership including:

• Formally constituted peer-based drug user organisations;
• Informal Networks of people who use or have used illicit drugs; and
• Auspiced peer-run projects/programs of another NGO.

Each level of membership has specific membership criteria which are noted in our Constitution (PDF, 280KB).

The state and territory member organisations of AIVL are also peer-oriented, membership based organisations. Their members include individuals who use or have used illicit drugs, families and friends of people who use or have used and people who support their organisational aims and objectives.

A Brief History

For much of its history, AIVL operated as an unfunded national network and peak organisation. Although the organisation formed in the late 1980's, it was 1992 when AIVL became a formally constituted, incorporated association.

From the late 1980's to 1998, AIVL functioned as an unfunded national organisation with the exception of occasional one-off project grants. Despite the lack funding, AIVL developed into a strong, effective and accountable organisation.

In March 1998, AIVL received its first significant government funding for a two-year National Hepatitis C Education & Prevention Program for People Who Inject Illicit Drugs. The effectiveness and success of this program resulted in the organisation receiving additional funding for a National Hepatitis C Policy Program in late 1999.

In 2005 the National Hepatitis C Policy Program was revised and renamed as the National Hepatitis C Treatments Program. The AIVL Hepatitis C Education and Treatment Programs continue to operate and are funded through to June 2007.

Significant government funding for hepatitis C related activities also allowed AIVL to establish an office and employ permanent staff members for the first time in the organisation's history. AIVL maintains an office in Canberra and currently has a staff team comprising of seven people.

AIVL's Organisational Philosophy

AIVL operates on a peer-based, user-centred philosophy, which means the organisation encourages and supports people who use or have used illicit drugs to speak on their own behalf and to participate directly in all levels of the organisation.

AIVL also promotes the health and human rights of people who use or have used illicit drugs. The organisation believes people who use or have used illicit drugs should be treated with dignity and respect both as human beings and as consumers of health and social services.

AIVL's Organisational Structure

As an incorporated, membership-based non-government organisation, AIVL is governed by an elected, national executive committee. The AIVL Executive Committee is elected from the AIVL membership on an annual basis at the AIVL Annual General Meeting.

The AIVL AGM is attended by two delegates from each state and territory, members of the AIVL Executive Committee and the staff of the AIVL office. Other observers from member organisations can attend the AIVL AGM upon request.

The AIVL office and the funded programs of the organisation are managed on a day-to-day level by the AIVL Executive Officer, which is a paid staff position. The Program staff regularly consult with and involve the AIVL membership in the implementation of all program activities.