The Australasian Native Orchid Society is dedicated to the cultivation, conservation, and scientific study of native orchids in the Australasian region. The many native orchid societies found throughout Australia and New Zealand are represented by their own regional bodies. The society publishes a quarterly journal called The Orchadian.

The AOC is the national orchid body in Australia and is the publisher of the highly acclaimed orchid magazine Orchids Australia. The AOC provides: a national forum for the coordination of orchid growing across Australia and resolution of issues; a direct voice to clubs in the management of the affairs of the Council; publication of one of the world's best orchid magazines, Orchids Australia, and other cultural books and literature for growers across Australia; a wonderful website, providing information and links to other quality sites to the world; a unified national judging system granting awards of excellence to growers and not only providing the basis for show judging but in many cases the judges; access to a comprehensive slide program library of some 140 programs; a national group insurance scheme for liability insurance coverage; a national focus through the AOC Conservation Director for the conservation of our native orchid species; ability to purchase at significant discount, a range of quality orchid specific products and cultural books for re-sale; a quality range of orchid-specific trophies for use in shows or for awards; coordination and allocation of national conferences and provision of conference medals; opportunity for members to participate in official AOC tours to World Orchid Conferences; liaison with Government on national issues of relevance, e.g. CITES; and an Australian point of contact for other international orchid bodies.