Formed in 1956, the Australian Speleological Federation Inc. (ASF) is the national body representing those interested in the protection and sustainability of Australia's cave and karst environments. It has approximately 850 members across 28 constituent bodies throughout all Australian states and territories. The ASF represents Australia within the International Union of Speleology, which is linked with UNESCO. The federation is registered as an environmental organisation by the Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. The ASF maintains a public fund, authorised under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 item 6.1.1, subsection 30–55(1) to receive tax-deductible donations for its environmental purposes. ASF works in environmental protection. Many members have largely recreational interests but have joined the federation to support its environmental objectives; others have primarily management, historical, scientific or academic interests in caves and karst. In all cases the federation's policies and guidelines influence the environmental practices of all cave users i.e. managers, recreational cavers, tourists, scientists and adventurous visitors. Throughout Australia, codes developed by ASF, e.g. Ethics, Minimum Impact, Cave Classification, Documentation, Cave Diving and Safety have been incorporated in land management plans both for caves and for broader karst parks. ASF publishes Helictite: Journal of Australasian Speleological Research. One of only four or five such refereed scientific journals in the world, this publication has improved understanding of caves and karst, and in turn the standard of interpretation provided to the public by guides and rangers. Constitutional aims "To safeguard and protect the natural environment, specifically the cave and karst environment of Australia" "To gather and disseminate information, develop and promote policies, foster and publish research, and provide education and advice to the Australian community on conserving Australia's karst resources." To bring together and represent persons interested in caves and karst in Australia and the attainment of the Federation's aims" To foster speleology in all of its aspects" Environmental objective "To promote conservation and sustainable management of Australia's caves and karst" ASF's contribution to cave and karst protection ASF has contributed to protection of the cave and karst environment by: Consulting on environmental management issues to Commonwealth, New South Wales, Tasmanian, Victorian, South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory government instrumentalities; Publishing a respected, biennial peer-refereed journal reporting scientific research (Helictite) Developing an electronic database of over 10,000 cave and karst features in Australia; Cooperating with or lobbying other bodies for better educational and conservation practices e.g. Australian Geological Survey