Strength in our Connections

In October 2016 the Australian Institute of Office Professionals (AIOP) undertook a complete rebrand. The design includes more modern elements and utilises overlapping diamonds. The elements combined reflect our new slogan, Strength in our connections.

As an institute we have reaffirmed our commitment to our members and strive to deliver:

• Professional Development Opportunities for our members
• Networking Opportunities
• Access to an online network of like-minded professionals (various social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook)
• Enhancement of the profession and the ability to use post nominals

The Australian Institute of Office Professionals is the only national professional body for office professionals in Australia.

Office Professionals are people employed to carry out an administrative role in a professional capacity and can include a broad range of roles in all aspects of a business such as Managers, Team Leaders, Project Officers, Executive/Personal Assistants, Administrative Support Officers etc.

The Australian Institute of Office Professionals is affiliated with similar professional associations for office professionals in the USA, UK, Asia, South Africa and New Zealand.

The Institute participates in the International Summit for Office Professionals held every two years. Australia hosted this important summit in 2006. A World Strategic Plan was developed for Associations throughout the world to undertake collaborative activities and assist with shaping the future of the Office Professional.

Click here to view the Constitution.

Our Vision

To be the leading organisation that provides pathways to educate, develop and mentor its members as office professionals.

Statement of Purpose

Empowering and promoting excellence in the role of the office professional

Establishing collaborative relationships and form strategic alliances to advance continuous professional and personal development

Linking members with opportunities for mentoring

Aspire to inspire through membership

The Australian Institute of Office Professionals began with just 12 secretaries who had sat for, and passed, the Commonwealth Secretarial Diploma examination in the late 1950s.  Having achieved that goal, and proudly bearing the letters CSD after their names, they decided to form an association for secretaries in Australia, along the lines of similar organisations in America and England.

In 1963 (29 July 1963), the Institute of Private Secretaries (Australia) was formed in Melbourne and interest quickly spread to South Australia (13 August 1965); Western Australia (29 October 1965) and Queensland (8 April 1968).  Victoria Division separated from the Federal Council on 26 August 1969.  On 30 May 1973, the Institute became a company limited by guarantee.  Tasmania Division formed on 3 June 1974 with ACT Division on 20 August 1976 and New South Wales on 20 July 1971.

The Federal Council held its first meeting on 1 May 1977 and the first Secretary of the Year was awarded to Ms Sandra Patton in 1979.  Secretaries Day was first celebrated in 1981.  Northern Territory Division was inaugurated on 15 March 1983, the year that the Institute changed its name to the Institute of Professional Secretaries (Australia).  The Institute added “Administrators” to its name in 1993 and then changed its name to the Australian Institute of Office Professionals in 2000.

The first Honorary Life Member awarded was Ms Elsie Solly.

DipIPSA –

In 1968 the Institute became the only professional examining body for secretaries in Australia.  AIOP was conducting annual Diploma examinations in all States.  Deakin University commenced administering the DipIPSA in the second half of 1996 and concluded its contract with the Institute at the end of 2000.  In the beginning of 2000 Charles Sturt University (CSU) took over administering the DipIPSA with CSU introducing additional programs. The DipIPSA then became the Diploma of Business (Administration). It is no longer administered by AIOP.