About Us

Geomechanics is the application of engineering and geological principles to the behaviour of the ground and ground water and the use of these principles in civil, mining, offshore and environmental engineering in the widest sense.

The Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) was founded in 1970, originating from the National Committee on Soil Mechanics of the Institution of Engineers Australia (est. 1953) and the call for a corresponding society in rock mechanics. In 1973, the society was expanded to include the third discipline of engineering geology and has remained substantially unchanged since that date.

In 2025, the AGS formally became a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, while maintaining its affiliation with Engineers Australia as an incorporated learned society. This governance transition provides the AGS with a formal legal foundation and modern governance structure, while ensuring autonomy and continuity in serving its members.

In addition to Engineers Australia, the AGS is affiliated with:

The AGS publishes Australian Geomechanics, a peer-reviewed journal and newsletter issued four times a year, and organises courses, specialty conferences, symposia, seminars, workshops, and the four-yearly ANZ Geomechanics Conference with the New Zealand Geotechnical Society.

Today, the AGS operates primarily through active State Chapters and continues to be a leading learned society, fostering knowledge, professional development, and international engagement in geomechanics.

History

To find out more about our history, watch the presentation ‘The Australiasian Region and the International Society’ by Harry G. Poulos, Coffey Geotechnics.

This presentation was given on the occasion of the ISSMGE 75th Anniversary Celebration Session; the PPT file can be downloaded here.

The AGS website is designed, developed and maintained by James Robinson.