Clinical Oncology Society of Australia

What Clinical Oncology Society of Australia does

The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) is an Australian not-for-profit professional society founded in 1973 and headquartered in Sydney (GPO Box 4708, NSW 2001, ABN 97 631 209 452). It positions itself as the peak national body for all health professionals whose work involves the care of cancer patients, bringing together multidisciplinary practitioners — medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dietitians, psychologists, and other allied health professionals — across all cancer types. The society operationalises this mandate through 25 COSA Groups focused on specific cancer types and disciplines, an Annual Scientific Meeting (now in its 53rd year, scheduled for November 2026 at ICC Sydney), and a network of 18 Affiliated Organisations and 4 Associated Organisations including major research groups such as ALLG, ANZCHOG, ANZGOG, ANZUP, Breast Cancer Trials, MOGA, TROG, and RANZCR.

COSA's core offering is professional membership, structured across tiers — Medical (AUD $325/year), Allied Health (AUD $185/year), Nursing, Medical in Training, Student (AUD $55/year), Retiree, and Honorary categories — with discounted rates for members of affiliated/associated bodies. Membership is annual (1 July to 30 June cycle, GST inclusive) and self-serve via cosa.org.au. Additional revenue comes from the Annual Scientific Meeting via registration, sponsorship, and exhibition, plus member benefits including online access to the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology and the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database.

The business model is community-led and member-funded, with a small staff team (approximately 7 people including CEO Marie Malica, Project Managers, Member Engagement Officer, Operations Manager, and Communications Manager) and governance by an elected President (currently A/Professor Dion Forstner for 2023-2024, with two-year terms since 1974) and a Board/Council structure. The technology footprint is minimal and appropriate to a membership society: a website, social media presence (Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Bluesky), and PDF-based governance publications. The 2024-2029 Strategic Plan and refreshed Constitution (v9, approved November 2024) are the most recent formal strategic artefacts.

Name

Clinical Oncology Society of Australia

Legal name

Clinical Oncology Society of Australia

Website

https://cosa.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

COSA is the peak Australian national body for multidisciplinary health professionals involved in cancer care, operating a tiered membership, 25 professional groups, an annual scientific meeting, and a network of 20+ affiliated organisations to support collaboration, education, advocacy, and research.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: COSA generates revenue primarily through annual membership fees from healthcare professionals across various membership categories (Medical, Allied Health, Nursing, Medical in Training, Student, Retiree, Honorary). Fees range from $55/year for students to $325/year for standard medical members, with discounted rates available for members of affiliated organizations.
2. Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM): Revenue generated from registration fees for the COSA Annual Scientific Meeting, with members receiving discounted registration rates compared to non-members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

COSA is a not-for-profit professional membership society that serves as Australia's peak national body for multidisciplinary health professionals involved in cancer patient care. It sells annual memberships (across Medical, Allied Health, Nursing, Trainee, Student, Retiree, and Honorary tiers) and operates the COSA Annual Scientific Meeting, 25 professional interest groups, and a network of affiliated cancer organisations to deliver collaboration, education, advocacy, and research facilitation services.

Product overview

COSA is a professional membership organization serving as the peak national body for all health professionals involved in cancer patient care. The organization operates a unified membership platform offering access to 25 professional interest groups (COSA Groups), the Annual Scientific Meeting, peer-reviewed journal access, professional development resources, and networking opportunities. The portfolio includes membership tiers for Medical, Allied Health, Nursing, Medical in Training, Student, Retiree, and Honorary members. COSA maintains a network of 20 affiliated organizations and 4 associated organizations in the oncology sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• COSA Membership Annual professional membership offering multidisciplinary collaboration, professional development, networking, advocacy, and access to events and journals. Available in Medical, Allied Health, Nursing, Medical in Training, Student, Retiree, and Honorary categories for cancer care professionals in Australia.
• COSA Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) Annual conference for oncology professionals featuring scientific presentations, education, and networking. The 53rd ASM is scheduled for 11-13 November 2026 at the International Convention Centre Sydney, with discounted registration for COSA members.
• COSA Groups 25 multidisciplinary professional interest groups enabling members to network and collaborate across cancer types including Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, Survivorship, Cancer Pharmacists, and other specialties. Membership in groups is managed through COSA member accounts.
• Affiliated & Associated Member Organisations Program Program for not-for-profit companies, institutions, or organisations with a similar vision to COSA to become Affiliated or Associated Member Organisations, providing reciprocal representation on COSA Council, voting rights on the COSA Board for affiliated entities, and discounted COSA membership benefits to their members.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ALLG (Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerALLG is the only not-for-profit organisation designing and delivering investigator initiated clinical trial research into blood cancers. As an Affiliated Organisation, ALLG has a seat on COSA Council, voting rights for COSA Board, and provides discounted COSA membership to its members.
• ANZCHOG (Australia and New Zealand Childrens Haematology/Oncology Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANZCHOG is the leading body representing the interests of children and adolescents with blood diseases and cancer, and their families. Affiliated status with COSA.
• ANZGOG (Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANZGOG is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to gynaecological cancer research. Affiliated status with COSA.
• ANZHNCS (Australian and New Zealand Head and Neck Cancer Society)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANZHNCS promotes the practice of head and neck oncology, educates medical colleagues and public, fosters research, and seeks optimal treatment outcomes. Affiliated status with COSA.
• ANZSA (Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANZSA is the peak body for the sarcoma community, aiming to improve outcomes for sarcoma patients through research, education and awareness. Affiliated status with COSA.
• ANZUP (Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANZUP brings together a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, allied health care professionals, scientists, researchers, and community representatives working in urogenital cancer. Affiliated status with COSA.
• APA (Australian Physiotherapy Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPA is the peak body representing Australian physiotherapists. Their Cancer, Palliative Care and Lymphoedema national group promotes professional excellence. Affiliated status with COSA.
• Breast Cancer TrialscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBreast Cancer Trials is the largest independent oncology clinical trials research group in Australia and New Zealand, dedicated to finding new treatments and preventions for breast cancer. Affiliated status with COSA.
• CNSA (Cancer Nurses Society of Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNSA is committed to achieving and promoting excellence in cancer care through the professional contribution of nurses through education, information, leadership, networking and professionalism. Affiliated status with COSA.
• COGNO (Cooperative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOGNO's main aim is to conduct investigator-initiated and collaborative group trials addressing important clinical questions in patients with brain tumours. Affiliated status with COSA.
• CST (Cancer Symptom Trials)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCST is a member-based cancer cooperative trial group focusing on addressing unmet symptom management needs of Australians living with cancer through investigator-led clinical trials. Affiliated status with COSA.
• GI Cancer TrialscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGI Cancer Trials (formerly AGITG and GI Cancer Institute) is committed to building a better future for people with gastro-intestinal cancer. Affiliated status with COSA.
• MASC Trials (Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMASC Trials is the national cancer collaborative group specialising in investigator-initiated collaborative research in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Affiliated status with COSA.
• MOGA (Medical Oncology Group of Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOGA is the national professional organisation for medical oncologists and a Speciality Society of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Affiliated status with COSA.
• OSWANZ (Oncology Social Work Australia and New Zealand)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSWANZ assists social workers in striving for excellence in psychosocial care of people with cancer through networking, education, advocacy, research and resource development. Affiliated status with COSA.
• PoCoG (Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPoCoG aims to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer by developing and facilitating high quality, collaborative and clinically relevant research focusing on psychosocial and supportive care. Affiliated status with COSA.
• RANZCR (Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Faculty of Radiation Oncology at RANZCR is the peak bi-national body advancing patient care and the specialty of radiation oncology. Affiliated status with COSA.
• RCPA (Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCPA is the leading organisation representing Pathologists and Senior Scientists in Australasia, focused on training and supporting pathologists and improving pathology testing. Affiliated status with COSA.
• TOGA (Thoracic Oncology Group of Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTOGA is a member-based research organisation and lung cancer and mesothelioma charity, representing all professional disciplines involved in caring for lung cancer patients. Affiliated status with COSA.
• TROG Cancer Research (Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Research Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTROG Cancer Research is Australia and New Zealand's leading clinical trials group focused on radiation medicine. Has conducted more than 130 clinical trials since 1989. Affiliated status with COSA.
• ASMIRT (Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASMIRT is the peak body representing medical radiation practitioners in Australia. Associated Organisation status with COSA, providing discounted membership to members.
• Dietitians AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDietitians Australia is the peak body for dietetic and nutrition professionals, representing more than 6,500 members. Associated Organisation status with COSA.
• ESSA (Exercise & Sports Science Australia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerESSA is the nation's leading voice on exercise and sports science, governing and representing over 10,000 degree-qualified professionals. Associated Organisation status with COSA.
• McGrath FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcGrath Foundation raises money to fund McGrath Cancer Care Nurses across Australia and delivers world leading cancer nursing services. Associated Organisation status with COSA.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group (ALLG): ALLG is a not-for-profit clinical trials group in blood cancers and a COSA Affiliated Organisation; it represents an Australia/NZ-disease-specific comparator with overlapping membership among haematology-oncology professionals.

Emerging players

• International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS): IPOS is an international multidisciplinary society focused on psychosocial oncology; COSA has hosted joint COSA-IPOS meetings, indicating overlapping membership and content themes in the psycho-oncology niche.

Broad incumbents

• European Cancer Organisation (ECO): ECO is an umbrella federation of European oncology societies, conceptually similar to COSA's role as a multidisciplinary convener, but operating at continental rather than national scale.
• Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR): RANZCR's Faculty of Radiation Oncology is the bi-national peak body for radiation oncologists and a COSA affiliate; it competes for radiation-oncology professional dues while sharing overlapping CME, conference, and advocacy functions.
• American Association for Cancer Research (AACR): AACR is a large research-focused cancer professional organisation offering membership, journals, and an annual meeting that draws Australian oncology researchers; comparable in mission though more research- than multidisciplinary-care oriented.
• Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP): RACP is the parent specialty college of which MOGA is a Specialty Society; it is the broader professional home for medical oncologists in Australia and overlaps with COSA in education and advocacy for the same member base.

Direct peers

• American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO): ASCO is the US peak professional society for clinical oncology, offering memberships, annual meetings, journals, and advocacy — directly comparable in mission and structure to COSA, just at much larger scale.
• European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO): ESMO is Europe's leading professional society for medical oncology with membership, the annual ESMO Congress, journals, and educational programs — structurally identical to COSA but operating across European jurisdictions.
• Medical Oncology Group of Australia (MOGA): MOGA is the national professional organisation for medical oncologists in Australia and a COSA Affiliated Organisation, directly comparable as a discipline-specific oncology professional society competing for overlapping members.
• Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA): CNSA is the national society for oncology nurses in Australia and a COSA Affiliated Organisation; it operates its own membership tiers, conferences, and education, competing for the same nursing-member dues.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/COSAoncology
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCskrXYRMCirUK4H8NpCS6dA
• Facebookfacebook.com/COSAoncology
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clinical-oncology-society-of-australia-cosa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Clinical Oncology Society of Australia