About the AAA

The AAA is the nation’s peak motoring body, representing Australia’s state-based motoring clubs (the NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC, RACT and the AANT) and their 9.3 million members. It is an apolitical and technology-neutral advocate for federal transport policy that improves safety, equity, and sustainability.

The AAA’s key objectives include working with motoring clubs, govermments and stakeholders on:

• safety – reducing death and trauma on Australian roads
• sustainability – decarbonising Australian transport effectively, equitably and at least-cost
• affordability – easing motorists’ financial burden
• integrity – using data and evidence to inform transport project selection and funding, and reducing politicisation of road funding
• equity – championing fairer outcomes, and ensuring costs are shared equitably across different geographic, socio-economic and demographic groups

Our members

Data-driven policies and advocacy

AAA advocacy is based on evidence and data. The association conducts and commissions research to develop in-depth analysis of transport issues – including road safety, affordability, vehicle emissions, and changes in the Australian vehicle market. This work has developed a resources library that informs the AAA’s policies.

Evidence-based advocacy is a key value for the AAA. Transport and infrastructure policies should be based on facts and a strong understanding of real needs, not on political considerations.

Governments and other bodies should acquire data intelligently, publish it transparently, and use it honestly. Authorities and experts must be able to analyse the evidence so they can define best practices.

International motoring

The AAA also provides international motoring services.

It issues International Driving Permits that allow Australian motorists to drive in countries that are signatories to the United Nations 1949 Convention on Road Traffic. The state-based motoring clubs issue these IDPs as sales agents of the AAA to ensure the permits are widely accessible around Australia.

The AAA also helps international travellers with their motoring needs by issuing customs documents for the temporary admission of vehicles to Australia.

The AAA is a member of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and it also supports its constituent clubs’ participation in the Global Mobility Alliance (GMA).

History

In 1924, the state motoring clubs established the AAA. The AAA’s mission was “making motoring safer, more pleasant and less costly”.

Its objectives included:

• campaigning for a properly integrated and well-maintained road system
• promoting road safety
• promoting and facilitating national and international motoring
• campaigning to ensure that motoring taxes were spent on transport infrastructure and not diverted to other purposes.

These remain key goals. A century after its founding, the AAA still champions safer, fairer, and more affordable mobility.

From the start, the AAA helped the state clubs exchange information and set up reciprocal services across the country. The new body also quickly became a valuable vehicle for lobbying the Commonwealth for national harmonisation of state road rules.