Join Melbourne’s network for Indian-origin businesses.
Become part of a member-led association connecting and representing Indian-origin enterprise across Melbourne.
Who can join LITA?
Business membership: for eligible Indian-origin business owners, operators and entrepreneurs (business entities, or their authorised representative) operating across Melbourne, approved by the Committee. One vote per business entity, regardless of tier.
Associate or community membership: for individuals and organisations that support LITA’s purposes but do not qualify as business members, including students, community members, retired professionals and cultural or community organisations. Associate membership is non-voting unless LITA’s rules are amended by special resolution.
One voice per business.
Every eligible business entity gets one vote in LITA’s direction, regardless of membership tier. Every tier also includes an annual event-credit balance equal to the fee you actually paid, redeemable across LITA activities during your membership year.
What your membership does
Advocacy & Representation Briefings
Detailed advocacy, submission and representation briefings for every active membership tier.
Early Notice of Developments
Early notice of government and precinct developments for every active membership tier.
Workshops, Forums & Consultations
Workshops, forums and roundtables for Forum Members. Consultation and networking access for other tiers only where the activity is open to them or they are specifically invited.
Eligible Invitations
Eligible invitations for all active membership tiers, with invitation-only and tier-specific conditions stated before registration.
Public Directory Profile
A public directory profile and an approved member badge where the member is an eligible business and has provided publication consent.
Business Resources & Referrals
Business resources, referrals and collaboration opportunities.
LITA Programs & Little India
Opportunities connected with LITA programs and Little India, plus separately described collaboration opportunities involving Melbourne Diwali where available.
A Voice in LITA's Direction
The ability to contribute to LITA priorities and member consultations. Voting controls appear only for eligible Members and Forum Members.
Membership Plans
All memberships are annual. Choose the tier that matches how you’d like to participate.
Associate Member
Non-voting · $100 event credit
City of Melbourne fee: $50 annually · 50% concession
For individuals, professionals, students, community organisations and supporters who support LITA's purposes but do not qualify, or do not wish to apply, as business members.
- ✓General member communications
- ✓Eligible public and member invitations
- ✓Access to selected resources and activities
- ✓$100 annual event credit
Member
One vote per business · $200 event credit
City of Melbourne fee: $100 annually · 50% concession
For eligible Indian-origin business owners, operators and business entities that support LITA's purposes and are approved by the LITA Committee.
- ✓One vote per eligible business entity
- ✓Advocacy and precinct briefings
- ✓Business directory profile
- ✓Member consultations and eligible invitations
- ✓Business referrals and collaboration opportunities
- ✓$200 annual event credit
Forum Member
One vote per business · $1,000 event credit
City of Melbourne fee: $500 annually · 50% concession
For eligible business members seeking deeper participation in LITA's forums, roundtables, workshops and business network. The higher fee does not provide additional votes.
- ✓One vote per eligible business entity
- ✓All Member benefits
- ✓Full access to eligible LITA forums, workshops and roundtables
- ✓Priority access to eligible business and stakeholder opportunities
- ✓$1,000 annual event credit
City of Melbourne Concession — 50%
A 50% annual membership concession is available to eligible applicants in any tier with a current connection to the City of Melbourne municipality. For Member and Forum Member applicants, the business must have a current physical operating address within the municipality. For Associate Member applicants, a current home, work, study or organisational address within the municipality applies. LITA may request an ABN record, lease, utility account, council record or another reasonable document to verify eligibility.
Your fee comes back as event credit
$100 membership = $100 event credit
City concession: $50 = $50 event credit
$200 membership = $200 event credit
City concession: $100 = $100 event credit
$1,000 membership = $1,000 event credit
City concession: $500 = $500 event credit
Your event credit equals the amount you actually paid. You can apply it across one or more eligible activities during your membership year. Each time you redeem some, it reduces your available balance, and if an activity costs more than your remaining balance, you pay the difference.
Or email us directly at info@lita.net.au
What membership adds
A plain-language look at what’s open to everyone and what’s included with membership.
| Feature | Public | Member |
|---|---|---|
| News, campaigns and public information | Full access | Full access, plus detailed advocacy and submission briefings |
| Event listings | Public events only | Public and member events, plus eligible invitations |
| Government and precinct updates | Public updates only | Early notice of developments |
| Annual event credit | Not included | Included, matching the membership fee you actually paid |
| Workshops, forums and roundtables | Not included | Included for Forum Members; open or invited access for other tiers |
| Voting on LITA priorities | Not included | Included for Members and Forum Members only |
| Public directory profile and member badge | Can browse published listings | Eligible businesses can publish a listing with consent |
| Member portal access | Not available | Included |
Application and approval process
Submitting an application does not create membership. Here’s what happens after you apply.
Submit your application
Complete the application form with your details and your requested membership tier. No payment is required at this step.
LITA Committee reviews your application
The LITA Committee checks your application against LITA's membership rules and eligibility, and approves or rejects it by resolution.
Approval and payment link
If approved, you'll receive an email with a payment link for your selected tier's annual fee, applying the City of Melbourne Concession where your eligibility has been verified. If not approved, any payment submitted with your application is returned in full.
Active membership begins
Once payment is confirmed, your membership, any voting rights and your annual event credit become active. Submitting an application does not, by itself, create membership.
Frequently asked questions
Does submitting an application make me a member?
No. Your application is reviewed first. Under LITA's rules, no applicant becomes a member until the Committee has approved the application by resolution and your payment is confirmed. No payment is requested until an application has been approved by the LITA Committee.
Who is eligible for Member and Forum Member tiers, and who approves it?
Under LITA's constitution, a Business Entity (sole trader, partnership, company or other recognised structure) or its authorised representative is eligible for voting membership, provided it supports LITA's purposes and is approved by the Committee. Individuals who do not own or operate a business may instead apply as an Associate Member.
What is the City of Melbourne Concession?
A 50% annual membership concession available on every tier for applicants with a current connection to the City of Melbourne municipality: a physical business operating address for Member and Forum Member applicants, or a current home, work, study or organisational address for Associate Members. LITA may request an ABN record, lease, utility account, council record or another reasonable document to verify eligibility. The concession applies to the fee, and your event credit matches the amount you actually pay.
Do higher membership tiers get more votes?
No. Each eligible business entity has one vote regardless of tier. The Forum Member tier adds access to additional forums, workshops and event credit, not additional voting weight.
Can Associate Members vote?
Associate membership is non-voting unless LITA's rules are amended by special resolution. Associate Members do not carry standing for Committee positions.
How does my annual event credit work?
Your membership fee comes back to you as event credit equal to the amount you actually paid: $100 for Associate Members ($50 with the City concession), $200 for Members ($100 with the concession), and $1,000 for Forum Members ($500 with the concession). You can apply it across one or more eligible activities during your membership year. Each time you use some, it reduces your available balance, and if an activity costs more than your remaining balance, you pay the difference.
What is the membership term and renewal date?
Membership is annual. Renewal information is provided to approved members before their membership expires.
What happens to my payment if my application isn't approved?
No payment is requested until an application has been approved by the LITA Committee. If the Committee does not approve your application, any payment submitted with it is returned to you in full.
Can my business appear in the public directory?
Eligible business members can appear in LITA's public directory with an approved member badge, where they've given publication consent.
Can I change tiers later?
Contact us at info@lita.net.au if you'd like to discuss changing tiers at renewal.
I'm already a member. How do I renew?
Log in to the member portal to check your membership status and renew.
Where can I read LITA's full membership rules?
LITA's constitution contains the complete membership and governance rules. A copy may be requested by emailing info@lita.net.au. Associate Member, Member and Forum Member are LITA's participation tiers; formal membership class and voting eligibility remain governed by LITA's constitution.
Join LITA
Submit your application below. Applying does not create membership until it is approved and payment is confirmed: we will follow up with payment details. No card required to apply.
Already a LITA member? Log in to renew your membership or manage your account.
Get in touch
Questions about membership, LITA’s campaigns, or getting involved? Visit our contact page to reach the right team.
Go to ContactOrganisation details
Little India Traders Association Inc
ABN 30 304 300 565
Incorporated Association, Victoria
Volunteer-run. Community-backed. No paid staff.