The Australian International Movers Association (AIMA), was established in 1975 as a professional forum for the international removal industry, within the framework of which its members work towards continuous improvement of the industry’s standards and thus the service provided to the public.
What is AIMA?
The Australian International Movers Association (AIMA) was established in 1975 as a professional forum for the international removal industry in Australia, within the framework in which its members work towards continuous improvement of the industry’s standards and thus the service provided by the industry to the public.
Why does AIMA Exist?
Most industries have their own professional industry organisation; The Australian International Movers Association provides a means for the international removal industry in Australia to govern itself, improve services, deal as one in its relations with Government Departments such as Customs and Quarantine, to provide an independent disputes tribunal and to protect the interests of the
Who can be a member of AIMA?
To join AIMA, a moving company must be an affiliate of FIDI (Federation Internationale Des Demenageurs Internationaux) and so be a FIDI certified Mover, known as being FAIM certified. FAIM is the only internationally recognised universal quality standard for the moving industry and is awarded based upon the results of initial and then regular audits by Cap Gemini Ernst & Young (CGEY) (management consultants). FAIM therefore is a benchmark which indicates to clients which movers are professionally recognised as meeting the minimum standards required when handling international moves.
The aim is to ensure that only companies with specialist knowledge, resources and experience are able to join. AIMA can thus differentiate its members from those movers whose standards and experience are insufficient to enable them to be FAIM certified, have chosen not to participate in the FAIM audit process or who having attained FAIM do not join AIMA (and would not therfore be bound by the AIMA disputes tribunal process). FAIM certification also requires that the mover be financially sound.
What benefits do clients gain from AIMA?
In selecting a member of AIMA to handle an international removal a client may be confident that the member is recognised as an established international mover both within Australia and, through affiliation with FIDI, by reputable international moving companies around the world. Only international movers proven to have the experience and resources deemed by benchmarking to be necessary in order to properly carry out international moves, are financially sound and adhere to the highest standards qualify to join AIMA; the public is therefore more readily able to identify experts in the field of international moving.
Why should an AIMA member be selected?
Selecting a mover to whom treasured and valuable belongings are to be entrusted is not an easy decision. A removal service is an intangible purchase and it can be difficult to identify recognised standards of service in advance of receiving them. The financial stability of a mover is also an important consideration before advance payment is made for any service: membership of AIMA and affiliation to FIDI therefore readily identifies those international movers which are capable, efficient and financially sound, as certified by Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, auditors of the FAIM quality standard. Members of the public who select an AIMA member to carry out their international removal may therefore do so with confidence.
What is FIDI and how is AIMI connected with it?
FIDI is a professional body to which over 750 specialist international removal companies from around the world are affiliated. One of FIDI’s aims is to ensure that all of these affiliated companies perform to recognised standards of service. Removal companies which operate under the umbrella of FIDI must meet strictly enforced criteria in terms of operational ability and financial stability, as determined by certification to the FAIM quality standard. Australian movers must be certified to FAIM standard to be affiliates of FIDI and are recognised by other movers around the world as being professional in their industry.