DRAMA AUSTRALIA is a national peak organisation of state and territory drama education associations in Australia.

As such, DRAMA AUSTRALIA does not have direct members from the Australian drama education community but members of each state and territory association are automatically members of DRAMA AUSTRALIA. Members exercise their rights through member associations.

Increasingly, DRAMA AUSTRALIA also has institutional and overseas members who subscribe to the excellent publications of the association. These members do not have voting rights nor do they take part in the management of DRAMA AUSTRALIA.

The focus of DRAMA AUSTRALIA is on national issues in drama education. It is a voice of advocacy and representation in national forums. As the voice of Australian drama educators, DRAMA AUSTRALIA represents them in national and international peak associations such as NAAE [National Affiliation of Arts Educators] and IDEA [International Drama/Theatre and Education Association]. It also, on occasions and at the request of state or territory associations, presents a national perspective on local issues.

DRAMA AUSTRALIA is committed to working collaboratively with other organisations involved with Drama, the Arts and Education. In 1996 DRAMA AUSTRALIA established a reciprocal working relationship with ADSA [Australian Drama Studies Association]. DRAMA AUSTRALIA is a member of NAAE and IDEA.

Drama Australia acknowledges Griffith University's Centre for Applied Theatre Research for hosting the Association's administration.

The following state associations are members of Drama Australia:

As an association of associations, DRAMA AUSTRALIA is responsible for its own operations through the Executive, Administrator and Meetings of Council. It operates in accord with its own constitution. Member associations operate within their own constitutions and local settings.

The integrity of each member association is assured under the constitution of DRAMA AUSTRALIA. However strong support is also committed to the corporate voice of DRAMA AUSTRALIA as the national peak body for drama educators. DRAMA AUSTRALIA speaks with the authority and support of member associations, after consultation and, if necessary, negotiation. Decision making is generally through consensus and discussion. Although formal voting takes place, the culture of DRAMA AUSTRALIA is collaborative and respectful of the rights of others.

The work of the Executive is supported by the DRAMA AUSTRALIA Liaison Officers (NLOs) appointed by each state or territory association. During the year, the NLOs are the link between DRAMA AUSTRALIA and member associations. They communicate information between their association and DRAMA AUSTRALIA. They are the point of contact, canvas and communicate opinions and points of view of their association to DRAMA AUSTRALIA. In addition, DRAMA AUSTRALIA Special Project Officers (SPOs) are appointed to run projects. Similarly, with the increased importance of IDEA, DRAMA AUSTRALIA IDEA Liaison Officers (ILOs) are appointed by each member association.

Before the AMC, the Executive and NLOs meet. At this meeting there is an opportunity for reporting on the activities of each association and members of the Executive. There are also opportunities for goal setting, strategic planning and more relaxed discussion than is possible in the formal setting of the AMC.

The effectiveness of DRAMA AUSTRALIA depends on

• Effective communication
  
• Clear sense of the relationships between DRAMA AUSTRALIA and its member associations
  
• The collaborative work of NLOs and Executive.