Member strength
More than half of Australia’s doctors are members of Avant.
Our size means that we can draw on the most extensive claims data to help our doctors avoid tomorrow’s claims.
Capital strength
Our net assets exceed $693 million*. This provides members with unparalleled financial security, strength and support. Our investment strategy is guided by our objective to benefit members in the long term.
National and state strength
We offer members access to our national team of specialists while our state-based teams offer a personalised service tailored to each member’s local environment. Our teams in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth provide a range of support services to meet member needs including medico-legal advice, claims management, risk advisory and education services.
Member strength
Our members are a key source of expertise and advice and we access this intellectual capital through a range of committees that focus on the issues affecting members, furthering our mutual goals and aspirations.
These groups include our Medical Advisory Committees and our state and national based Medical Expert Committee.
We believe in investing in our future doctors and we are actively engaged with both our Student Advisory Council and our Doctors in Training Advisory Council.
People strength
Key to Avant’s leadership is our people.
Many of our employees are leaders in their chosen fields of medicine, law, finance and insurance. Others have first-hand healthcare experience in allied health professions, risk management, education and information technology fields.
Mutual strength
As a not-for-profit mutual, our members recognise the intrinsic ‘value’ they hold as owners of Avant. Our mandate is to operate in the best interests of our members at all times and we have no outside shareholder demands. All financial members have voting rights that they are encouraged to exercise.
Advocacy strength
Representing the interest of our members is a responsibility Avant takes seriously especially when it comes to the big picture issues affecting our members.
Through lobbying, negotiation and education with political leaders and health bodies, Avant takes an advocacy role to represent member interests and those of the profession as a whole. Key industry issues, significant developments in the medico-legal landscape, industry stability and promoting Australia as progressing towards a world leading health system are among the broad issues we advocate for.
Corporate and social responsibility strength
Both Avant members and staff believe corporate and social responsibility is a key part of our work and our contribution to medical science and the community reflects this.
Our $2 million donation over four years to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance has already sponsored ground breaking research. For example, an Avant Innovative Research Grant helped confirm a link between magnesium sulphate levels and the prevention of cerebral palsy in preterm babies** .
We work with Interplast and fund an annual field trip to enable medical volunteers to help treat people in developing countries in the Asia Pacific region living with serious disabilities and injuries.
Diversification strength
Diversification is about Avant developing into the future with new products and services to meet the needs of our members and reduce our risk profile by reducing our exposure to professional indemnity insurance.
The Doctors’ Health Fund
Our recent acquisition of The Doctors’ Health Fund will benefit Avant members by offering access to premium private health insurance products at competitive rates. The Doctors’ Health Fund offers members access to a quality range of products and extensive medical cover.
Life, Income and Total and Permanent Disability insurance*
We understand the importance of safeguarding our members’ livelihood and lifestyle. Our focus has always been on protecting and supporting doctors. For these reasons, we offer eligible members insurance cover for Income Protection, Life and Total and Permanent Disability insurance.
**Magnesium sulphate for women at risk of preterm birth for neuroprotection of the foetus; Doyle LW, Crowther CA, Middleton P, Marret S, Rouse D; Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Jan 21;(1):CD004661. Review.
