law technology engineering australia s learned academies australia s learned academies executive councils and professional institutes play important roles in our society . they support professional development and networking advance knowledge frontiers and advocate for the better organisation of australia s economy and society . the national academy forum showcases the work of australia s peak organisations for academic and professional disciplines . what learned academies do learned academies draw on the expertise of leading academics and professionals in a given field . high level members usually called fellows are chosen or elected on the basis of achievement or outstanding qualifications . academies use the knowledge and skills of the fellowship to guide development of a discipline and the surrounding governance arrangements . academies support practitioners in a field facilitate communication and professional development carry out research and advocate for better government or institutional policies and practices . leading academies by subject business australian institute of company directors engineering australian academy of technological sciences and engineering health national health and medical research council humanities australian academy of the humanities law australian academy of law science australian academy of science social sciences academy of the social sciences in australia technology australian academy of technological sciences and engineering aboutabout us terms and conditions papers australia in the asian century white paper population debate search for 2016 national academy forum