If the below questions do not answer your query, please contact the Club by phone on 03 9657 8888, via email at membership@mcc.org.au or use the Live Chat function to the bottom right of your screen between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Club offering discounted fees?In May, the Committee announced that 2020/2021 subscriptions would be discounted by 30%. The Committee took this step in recognition of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and to support members during this challenging time. This has been reflected in this renewal notice and has been rounded to the nearest dollar.
To be eligible for the discount you must have renewed your membership by November 30, 2020.
Is the 30% discount on my 2020/21 membership subscription applied to all levels of membership?
A 30% discount was applied to 2020/21 membership subscriptions, with the exception of 50-year members. As it currently stands, once a member reaches the 50-year mark of membership their fee reduces. As these members already reap the benefit of reduced fees, theirs will not be discounted.
Why was a 30% discount chosen and not a greater amount given we could miss a whole football season and potentially some cricket?
The Committee had to consider the affordability of any subscription discount in the context of the Club’s financial position, both as it stands today and as it may evolve during this crisis. The Club belongs to the members and we are all custodians of the Club for the benefit of all members, current and future.
Will the Club be refunding portions of memberships in the 2019/20 membership subscription season?
The Club has committed to a 30% discount for the 2020/21 membership subscription and to support members who are dealing with financial hardship due to COVID-19. There will be no refund or discount for the 2019/20 membership subscription.
I am a 50-year member of the MCC, will my membership be discounted?
A 30% discount was applied to 2020/21 membership subscriptions, with the exception of 50-year members. As it currently stands, once a member reaches the 50-year mark of membership their fee reduces. As these members already reap the benefit of reduced fees, theirs will not be discounted.
I am eligible to purchase an annual Guest card. Will I receive a discount?
Yes, if you purchase a Guest card for the 2020/21 season, a 30% discount will be applied to the cost of the Guest card. This will be detailed on your subscription notice.
What if there is no live sport at the MCG during the 2020/21 membership season, will the Club refund the entire amount next year?
It is too early to provide any guidance on membership subscription arrangements for years beyond the upcoming year. The MCC Committee will continue to monitor developments and ensure the viability of the Club and the members will continue to be at the forefront of decision making.
On my renewal there is an option to waive the discount and contribute this discount back to the Club. Why would I do this?
There are two main reasons members might elect to make a donation. The first is that the Club’s obligations to maintain the MCG continue irrespective of whether crowds can attend the venue so its costs remain high. The second is that the COVID-19 pandemic will not affect all our members equally. For some there will be little impact while for others the financial implications will be devastating. The donation will help the Club support those in hardship situations.
I feel that my fees I paid last September has given me nothing in the form of value and now we are being asked to pay again for a membership we cannot use. Please explain?
MCC membership is not simply a ‘fee for service’ to attend events at the MCG. The Club belongs to the members and we are all custodians of the Club for the benefit of all members, current and future. We must therefore consider the affordability of any subscription discount in the context of the Club’s financial position, both as it stands today and as it may evolve during this crisis. With the MCC’s membership year commencing from September 1, the last membership year (2019/20) included the 2019 AFL Finals Series and last summer’s cricket season prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Financial Hardship
Why is the Club offering this?We know that the COVID-19 pandemic, and for some of our members the 2019/2020 Australian bushfires, have resulted in severe financial hardship. The club would like to support those members because we understand the important role club life plays for so many. For this reason we are inviting members who require support to make a hardship application. This can be done by completing an online application form prior to making any subscription payment.
The application form and eligibility criteria are available here.
What is the criteria in applying for Financial Hardship?
A completed Application Form and supporting documentation outlining the Financial Hardship experienced by that member as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic and/or the 2020 Australian Bushfires. This may include (amongst other things):
- Supporting documentation in the form of confirmation from Centrelink that the member is receiving the financial assistance from Centrelink (for example, JobSeeker payment), due to an adverse impact on their employment as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic or the 2020 Australian Bushfires and clearly showing the date that this payment commenced;
- A letter on their employer’s letterhead outlining that the change of circumstances in that member's employment was due to the COVID-19 Pandemic or the 2020 Australian Bushfires (for example, redundancy); and/or
- Supporting documentation that verifies that the member has suffered Financial Hardship (for example, loss of assets) due to the 2020 Australian Bushfires.
I am paying memberships for other family members, can I apply on their behalf as well?
Each member who is claiming Financial Hardship must submit their own application, unless they are under the age of 18 in which case, a parent or guardian may submit an application on their behalf. A family application will not be accepted due to the need to track and assess claims individually.
If I am successful, how much extra discount will I receive?
The MCC will determine the percentage reduction of each member's 2020/21 membership subscription at its sole discretion and on a case by case basis. Subscription payment arrangements will then be arranged and communicated to each member.
What if I am not happy with the amount the MCC decides to discount?
The MCC’s decision will be final, and there will be no appeals process linked to applications for financial hardship.
What is the latest date I can submit my application?
Hardship Applications closed on 30 November, 2020.
I am currently experiencing financial hardship however it is not specifically due to COVID -19 or the bushfires. Am I eligible to apply for financial hardship?
The specific purpose of this hardship policy is to support MCC members experiencing Financial Hardship as a consequence of the economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and / or the 2020 Australian Bushfires. However the Club appreciates that financial Hardship cases are not all alike and should be addressed on a case by case basis, therefore members can write to the Club explaining their individual circumstances which will be reviewed by Club management.
It is important to note that this is a separate procedure to the recent financial hardship policy the Club has introduced which only focuses on those effected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2019/2020 Australian bushfires.
MCCFlexipay
Why has the Club decided to introduce a payment plan?The Committee and management wanted to provide another means of support to our members and a payment plan will allow payments to be spread out over three payments instead of just one. This plan will continue beyond the current crisis giving all members the opportunity to stagger their payments.
New for 2020, the club is pleased to introduce an ongoing payment plan for annual membership subscriptions which will be available for members from the 2020/2021 season. MCCFlexipay provides members the opportunity to setup a part payment plan to be direct debited over three instalments from a nominated credit card or bank account.
Registrations for 2020/21 closed on August 18, 2020. All members registered for MCCFlexipay for 2020/2021 will receive the 30% discount.
When I pay by instalment plan, will my access entitlements be subject to each payment instalment being up to date?
Yes, your membership instalment(s) payments must be able to be processed by the club by the dates specified to ensure your access entitlements are maintained.
What is the instalment structure and how much will be deducted each payment?
The part payment plan will enable members to have their annual subscription, any outstanding entrance fees and for those eligible, their annual guest card, split across three payments scheduled to be processed on the following dates:
- August 21, 2020: this will make the member financial through to November 30, 2020
- November 20, 2020: this will make the member financial through to February 28, 2021
- February 2, 2021: this will make the member financial through to August 31, 2021
Members also have the ability to include additional football club and BBL franchise dual club membership options in the MCCFlexipay plan; however, these membership options will be included in full in the first instalment payment processed in August.
Members are able to register for payment to be deducted from a bank account of their choice, or a Visa or Mastercard credit card.
More information about MCCFlexipay can be found here.
Entrance Fees
The entrance fee payable by each member who joins the Club is $1100.The entrance fee is payable in instalments as members move through various membership categories until the final payment of the full entrance fee (in the dollars of the day) upon election to Full adult membership.
Members also have the option to pay the full entrance fee or outstanding balance of their entrance fee at any time. The amount paid must match the total remaining balance when being paid. Part payments of this fee won't be accepted.
Joined the club prior to 2015
The entrance fee instalment structure for a member who joined the club prior to 2015 is shown in the below table.Joined as Restricted Junior (15-17yrs)
|
Restricted Junior
|
Restricted Intermediate
|
Restricted Adult
|
Full Adult
|
|
One sixth of total entrance fee.
|
Balance to be brought to
one third of total entrance
fee.
|
Balance to be brought to 50% of total entrance fee.
|
Total entrance fee payable at that time less all payments made as a Restricted member.
|
Joining as Restricted Intermediate (18-24 yrs)
|
Restricted Intermediate
|
Restricted Adult
|
Full Adult
|
|
25% of total entrance fee.
|
Balance to be brought to 50%
of total entrance fee.
|
Total entrance fee payable at
that time less all payments made
as a Restricted member.
|
Joining as Restricted Adult (25 yrs and over)
|
Restricted Adult
|
Full Adult
|
|
50% of total entrance fee.
|
Total entrance fee payable at that time less all payments made as a Restricted member.
|
Joined the club in 2015 or later
The entrance fee instalment structure for a member who joined the club in 2015 or later is shown in the below table.Joined as Provisional member
|
Provisional member
|
Restricted member
|
Full member
|
|
25% of total entrance fees payable (at time of Provisional member offer)
|
50% of total entrance fees payable (at time of Restricted member offer) less previous payment made as a Provisional member.
|
Total entrance fees payable (at time of Full member offer) less
all payments made as a
Provisional or Restricted member.
|
Joined as Restricted member
|
Restricted member
|
Full member
|
|
50% of total entrance fees payable (at time of Restricted member offer) less previous
payment made as a Provisional member.
|
Total entrance fees payable (at time of Full member offer) less all payments made as a Provisional or Restricted member.
|
General
How is my membership fee used by the Club?As ground manager the MCC is obligated to maintain the MCG and to run the events at the stadium including staffing, services and security. Membership fees contribute to that work. Fees also contribute to the running of the Club, the high standard of services available to the MCC Members in the Reserve and the benefits provided to members for match day and non-match day events. Revenues from the Club are also used to repay debt. The Club still has a significant amount of debt that was incurred when the re-development was undertaken ahead of the Commonwealth Games.