What is the Martial Arts Industry Association (MAIA)?
The Martial Arts Industry Association Limited (MAIA) is the peak industry body for martial arts in Australia. It represents the collective interests of the martial arts sector to Federal, State and Territory Governments, the general community, and the media. If you are an Australian martial arts school, instructor, or industry stakeholder looking for a national representative body, MAIA is the organisation that fills that role.
What MAIA Does
MAIA describes itself as acting on behalf of the industry's collective interests. Its stated purpose is to provide an effective forum for:
- Lobbying and advocacy on behalf of the martial arts industry
- Representation of member interests
- Education on a wide range of topics
- Networking and liaison between members
- Networking to the wider martial arts community
The organisation notes that the combined strength and experience of its members is what enables it to carry out this work — meaning membership is the foundation of its advocacy capacity.
Who It Represents
MAIA positions itself as the representative body for the martial arts industry as a whole, not a single style or discipline. Its audience and counterparties include:
| Stakeholder | Nature of engagement |
|---|---|
| Federal, State and Territory Governments | Advocacy and lobbying |
| General community | Representation of industry interests |
| Media | Industry representation |
| Members | Education, networking, liaison |
| Wider martial arts community | Networking and liaison |
Services and Programs
The MAIA website lists a range of services and initiatives under "Our Services" and "MAIA News." Documented items include:
- Insurance — MAIA insurance for 2025–2026 expires at midnight on 30/06/2026, with renewals handled via an application form. A separate news item references "MAIA Members Insurance – 3 Month Cover at No Charge."
- Accreditation — accreditation course dates have been advertised, and a news item notes "MAIA Accreditation Intakes Suspended."
- Covid Safe certification — the "Covid Safe Martial Arts Instructor Certification Program" was announced by MAIA President Walt Missingham. Related milestones reported include Covid Safe certification topping 60,000, Covid Safe Schools certification topping 20,000, and rollout of Covid Safe School Certification in Canada.
- Industry Zoom presentations — listed among MAIA news items.
- Kids R Safe — featured as a program on the site.
External Context: Sport Integrity Australia
MAIA's site also highlights Sport Integrity Australia, whose role is to keep Australian sport safe and fair at all levels. Established in July 2020, it consolidated the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), the National Integrity of Sport Unit (NISU), and national integrity programs of Sport Australia into a single entity providing national coordination and support to sports and sector stakeholders. This is relevant context for Australian martial arts organisations operating under national sport integrity frameworks.
Key Takeaways
- MAIA is Australia's peak industry body for martial arts, not a style-specific association.
- Its core functions are advocacy, member representation, education, and networking.
- It engages with governments, the community, and media on behalf of the industry.
- It offers insurance, accreditation, and certification-related programs, with specific dates and statuses announced via its news section.
For current program availability, insurance renewal deadlines, and accreditation status, check the MAIA website directly, as several items are time-sensitive or noted as suspended.