About ASTSS


Mission of ASTSS:

  • To advance knowledge about the nature and consequences of highly stressful events.
  • To foster the development of policy, programs and service initiatives which seek to prevent and/or minimise the unwanted consequences of such experiences.
  • To promote high standards and ethical practices in the trauma field.

ASTSS Strategic Goals:

  • To provide quality services to ASTSS members and Chapters.
  • To encourage networking and development of ASTSS within the Australasian region.
  • To promote standards of excellence in trauma research and practice among members.
  • To pursue dialogue and links within the international trauma community.
  • To encourage exploration of different paradigms in research and practice.
  • To explore the role of prevention in traumatology.
  • To seek to influence the way traumatology is addressed in public policy and the media.
  • To pursue a role within the non- professional community through consultation and education.


ASTSS has established relationships with the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the African Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. These close, reciprocal relationships provide the basis for engagement in the world network of practitioners and researchers. ASTSS has representation on the Executive of ISTSS.
For membership enquiries please contact:



DISCLAIMER: ASTSS does not provide a personal referral service, nor offer advice on the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic stress syndromes. Appropriate information may be obtained from your local health centre, GP, local hospital, agencies which specialise in traumatic stress, or from professional providers registered to practice in your area. Information is available via the web sites found on the ASTSS Links page, which contains more information about responses to extremely stressful events. ASTSS does not endorse any particular treatment programs described in any of these web sites.

ASTSS accepts no responsibility for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information found on this internet site, nor the accuracy or completeness of any material contained in any linked web sites. ASTSS expressly disclaims all and any liability and responsibility to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done by such person in reliance, whether wholly or partially, upon this internet site.