Join Melbourne’s network for Indian-origin businesses.
Become part of a member-led association connecting and representing Indian-origin enterprise in Melbourne.
Who can join LITA?
Business membership: for eligible Indian-origin business owners, operators and entrepreneurs (business entities, or their authorised representative) in 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 activity-credit balance equal to the fee you actually paid, subject to the Member Activity Credit Terms.
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.
Quick fact: your membership fee is credited back to your account. Use it for networking events, workshops, or directory upgrades.
Associate Member
Non-voting · $100 activity credit
LITA local-business concession: $50 annually
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
- ✓Activity credit equal to the amount paid
Member
One vote per business · $200 activity credit
LITA local-business concession: $100 annually
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
- ✓Activity credit equal to the amount paid
Forum Member
One vote per business · $1,000 activity credit
LITA local-business concession: $500 annually
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 participation in eligible LITA-led programs, forums, working groups and events, subject to relevance and capacity
- ✓Activity credit equal to the amount paid
LITA local-business concession — 50%
Businesses with a verified operating address in the City of Melbourne municipality receive 50% off the applicable annual membership fee. LITA may request an ABN record, lease, utility account, council record or another reasonable document to verify the business address. The concession is a LITA policy, not a Council subsidy.
How member priority works
Where places are limited, LITA may give priority to members who contribute significant time, expertise, volunteer effort or financial support to the association. Priority does not guarantee access to government officials, public funding, procurement opportunities or external decision-makers.
Your fee comes back as member activity credit
$100 membership = $100 activity credit
City concession: $50 = $50 activity credit
$200 membership = $200 activity credit
City concession: $100 = $100 activity credit
$1,000 membership = $1,000 activity credit
City concession: $500 = $500 activity credit
Members receive activity credit equal to the membership fee actually paid, subject to eligible activities, capacity, booking conditions and expiry under the Member Activity Credit Terms. Each redemption 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 member activity credit | Not included | Included: activity credit equal to the membership fee actually paid, under the Member Activity Credit Terms |
| 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 LITA local-business concession where your business address 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 activity 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 LITA local-business concession?
Businesses with a verified operating address in the City of Melbourne municipality receive 50% off the applicable annual membership fee. Living, working or studying in the municipality without a qualifying business address does not automatically activate the concession. LITA may request an ABN record, lease, utility account, council record or another reasonable document to verify the business address. The concession is a LITA policy, not a Council subsidy, and your activity 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 activity 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 member activity credit work?
Members receive activity credit equal to the membership fee actually paid, subject to eligible activities, capacity, booking conditions and expiry under the Member Activity Credit Terms. You can apply it across one or more eligible activities during your membership year; each redemption reduces your available balance, and if an activity costs more than your remaining balance, you pay the difference. Credit is not cash and is not redeemable for cash.
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
Applications are made through LITA’s membership form. Applying does not create membership until it is approved by the Committee and payment is confirmed: we will follow up with payment details. No card required to apply.
Applications take about 5 minutes. Submitting the form creates an application only. Membership, voting rights and activity credit begin once the LITA Committee approves your application and your payment is confirmed. No payment is requested at this step and no card details are collected.
What you’ll need
Your contact details
Your name and email address. A mobile number and your position or role are optional.
Your connection to the community
A sentence or two on your connection to, or interest in, Melbourne's Indian community.
Business details, if you're applying as a business
Business name and ABN are required. Trading name, structure, industry, number of employees, operating address, a website or social link and a short description are optional, but they help the Committee assess eligibility. This is also where you request the 50% local-business concession. Individuals and community supporters skip this section entirely.
Your requested tier
Associate Member at $100, Member at $200, or Forum Member at $1,000 per year, before any concession.
The form opens in a new tab. You can save your progress by leaving the tab open; Google Forms does not keep partly finished applications once the tab is closed, so it’s worth having your ABN handy before you start.
Prefer to apply another way, or need the form in a different format? Email info@lita.net.au and we’ll help.
Already a LITA member? Log in to renew your membership or manage your account.