r/freemasonry 1d ago

Can you join while being a student?

I’m 19 years old from the Philippines and just moved to australia for uni, I emailed my local lodge 2 months ago stating that I’m a uni student and would like to join but I didn’t get a reply. Would being a uni student disqualify me from joining?

11 Upvotes

24 comments sorted by

6

u/Rihx AF&AM, RAM 1d ago

Being a student wont. But your age might. I don't know about Australia, but where I am you have to be at least 21.

1

u/Atompunk78 1d ago

England recently changed to 18, interestingly

0

u/KataKlysmic_Abyss 1d ago

In Australia it's 18, it when your legally can do everything, It's 21 in America because that's when you can legally do everything, A simple google search

3

u/cryptoengineer PM, PHP (MA) 1d ago

In the US, its jurisdictional. Many states are at 18, some still at 21.

0

u/KataKlysmic_Abyss 1d ago

Fair enough, I forget jurisdictional varies quite immensely, I dont know anyone in the US that is younher than 21 trying to petition so i assumed it was 21 as thats the kegal age for alot

4

u/HomesteadSolomon 1d ago

Hey mate. I'm an Australian PM based in Sydney. Feel free to message me and I'll help out

2

u/SRH82 PA-MM, PM, 33°, etc. 1d ago

Many join as students. As long as you can afford membership and it doesn't negatively impact your studies, you should be fine.

2

u/SirJosephBanksy 1d ago

Hi mate, UGLV here (Vic, Aus).

Yep absolutely you can now at 18. I think it’s the same in the other states now. I was a student when I joined and the old blokes loved it. They don’t care what you do or where you’re from, just so long as you’re a nice person.

If you’re in Vic, hmu and I’ll let you know how to contact my lodge. We have seven Filipino brothers who’ll make you feel welcome if you’d like to visit us as a guest for dinner. It would be our pleasure.

Selamat po!

1

u/Grand-Inspector PM, GI, Shrine, 32🢭 SR, AF&AM-MD 1d ago

I did. Grand Lodge of Maryland

1

u/wolfp00l91 3°MM 1d ago

It is not your educational status that will stop you from being able to join necessarily, your age might though. I am not sure what the age requirement is there, so I can't say for sure. I do want to wish you luck though and say that if you do have to wait, be as patient as you can be. Freemasonry will still be here when you are 21. Good luck with your uni education. If you don't mind me asking, what are you going to school for?

1

u/ComprehensiveGur1143 1d ago

I’m doing IT at TAFE at the moment which is only a 1 year course then go to uni after and probably would be taking international relations. I can’t get in to uni directly as I don’t have ATAR so I’m doing a TAFE diploma first

1

u/Deman75 MM BC&Y, PM Scotland, MMM, PZ HRA, 33° SR-SJ, PP OES PHA WA 1d ago

You absolutely can join as a student. I’m not sure what the minimum joining age is in your state, but that will be a factor on top of your ability to meet your usual expenses and still have the time and money for a new hobby.

1

u/zaceno P.M F&AM Finland, Sweden - MMM, RA 1d ago

Like others said, age might be a factor. Possibly also, in your case, your residency status. I don’t know what the rules are where you are but many jurisdictions have requirements on residency (because they want to know you expect to stick around for several years). If you are in Australia on a student visa, that might be an issue.

1

u/ComprehensiveGur1143 1d ago

On my local lodge’s website, it says you must be over 18

1

u/StairwayHiker MM BC/Yukon SR RA AMD Athelstan 1d ago

The minimum age to join in Australia is 18.

Other issues like the lodge members wanting to get to know you a minimum of 6 months prior to joining might be an issue…. It is in Canada.

1

u/TEG24601 WM 2026 (WA) 1d ago

Age is the factor. In many jurisdictions you have to be 21, unless a father or grandfather was a member, in which case you could be a “Lewis Mason”, if that jurisdiction follows that tradition.

1

u/SovArya 1d ago

Unless your dad is a mason, 21 is the legal age for us, kuya.

Then need nyan, your fam should be ok with it.

Mahal din degree fees for it all as petitioners so dapat game ang family.

If dad mo di mason, focus on your studies. Graduate. Make money and be self sufficient. Pag 21 mo. Tama tama yan.

San po ba kau sa atin ?

2

u/ComprehensiveGur1143 1d ago

Sent you a dm po

1

u/AlexMaroske ADGDoC UGLE | HRC | ROS | KTP | RC | RCC SC AMD KtM RAM MMM 32° 1d ago

I'm an Australian mason. If you need help DM me. Letting us know what state you are in will help as almost each state has its own grand lodge.

1

u/TheFreemasonForum 30 years a Mason - London, England 23h ago

If you can meet the time and money commitments, meet the criteria for joining and a Lodge is happy to accept you into its membership there is no reason why not.

1

u/IvePlayedGamesBefore RC 1d ago

I would advise that you focus on budgeting your University budget first and to be of proper age to enter the lodge!