Customers

Historically, AARNet has distinguished between three different types of customers. These are Members, Associates and Affiliates. Because the term Member is synonymous with Shareholder, customers are sometimes referred to as Shareholder customers and Non Shareholder customers.

Members

These are the 39 shareholders of AARNet comprising 38 Australian universities and the CSIRO. Shareholder customers are entitled to a greater range of AARNet services and different pricing policies

Associates

These are organisations that have close links with AARNet, or are operated for the purpose of higher education and research in Australia. A small number of non university organisations which were original members of AARNet are also classified as Associates. Associates are not AARNet shareholders, but are generally entitled to similar services and pricing policy as shareholders.

Affiliates

These are organisations that do not fall into the Associate category but do satisfy the AARNet Access Policy. The Access Policy requires that connection to such organisations be in the interest of AARNet in meeting its education and research objectives. A more restricted range of services and a different pricing policy applies to Affiliate customers.