Who we are

The Internet Association of Australia works to create a better internet for Australia.

Established in 1995 by a collection of internet enthusiasts, our heritage is deep-seated in advocacy, and we continue to be an association that supports the needs and interests of our Members.

We proudly operate Australia’s largest not-for-profit internet peering network comprising six exchange points and over 28 Points of Presence (PoPs) nationally. Since establishing  WA-IX –  our first exchange in 1997 – our network has grown significantly.

We exist for the benefit of the internet and the people who build and operate it.

Building a better internet

At IAA, we strive to lead the internet industry and support our Members.

We are:

  • Member-driven – member needs and interests guide our initiatives
  • Not-for-profit – investing in initiatives that support and improve Australia’s internet
  • Carrier-neutral – we provide impartial and equitable peering exchanges
  • Supporting our Members is fundamental to our strategy. That’s why we grow partnerships and human networks, conduct various events and do our best to provide the resources that Members need.

IAA operates Australia’s only not-for-profit exchange, offering carrier-neutral, multilateral peering. We operate seven exchange points and 28 Points of Presence (PoPs).

We provide a range of services:

  • Internet exchange peering
  • Extended reach
  • Virtual leased line
  • Cloud connect

Chief Executive Officer

Technical Team Leader 

Senior Policy Officer & Company Secretary

Management Accountant

Program Manager

Events &
Marketing Manager 

Strategic Projects Manager

Marketing Officer

Accounts & Administration
Assistant

Peering Engineer

Lead Developer

Developer

Chair
Term 2022 – 2025

Deputy Chair 
 Term 2023 – 2026

Field Solutions Group
Term 2023 – 2026

Professional Representative
Term 2023 – 2026

Professional Representative
Term 2024 – 2027

Professional Representative
Term 2024 – 2027

About the Board

The Board provides leadership and guidance to ensure IAA continues to achieve its aims in the promotion, support, and growth of Australia’s internet industry. It develops the strategic direction, mission, and objectives of the Association.

Members of the Board are highly skilled and experienced industry professionals dedicated to improving Australia’s internet.

Responsibilities

Board Members are required to commit a minimum of two hours per week to activities for the Association. This includes maintaining regular email contact, contributing towards discussions and projects (usually via online chat), and strategic decision making for the Association. 

All Board members are required to attend a bi-monthly Board Meeting via video conference (Zoom). The current meeting time is scheduled for every second month, on the fourth Monday, at 10am AWST. 

Members of the Board are required to use the current communication systems of the Association, with on-boarding assistance, training and support provided as needed. 

Time Commitment

Being on the IAA Board is a time commitment, but also a professionally rewarding opportunity. Board Members can expect (as a minimum): 

  • 1-2 hr board meeting at least once every two months + pre-reading 
  • 1 hr per week asynchronous catch ups 
  • other committees or events as scheduled throughout the year (this year has had five sub-committees).

If you become an office bearer or assist in other project or committee work, this time can be considerable; however, the experience and contacts you will gain are invaluable. 

Governance

IAA is a company limited by guarantee and is subject to the  Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). IAA operates under the governance of the Association Constitution, which is voted on by Members.

The Role of the Board

Current office bearing roles within the Board is that of Chair and Deputy Chair. The entire Board are involved in financial matters.  The additional responsibilities of these roles are outlined in Division 10.11 of the Association Constitution.  Members of the Board are volunteers; these positions are unpaid roles, however reasonable expenses, approved by the Board, may be paid. 

The Board

The IAA Board comprises up to six elected Directors, consisting of Professional Members and nominees of the Corporate Members, and up to two appointed Directors. Board members serve for a three-year term, and terms are offset to maintain continuity on the Board. Casual vacancies may be filled by the Board’s invitation and are automatically up for re-election at the following Annual General Meeting.

Our story so far

It was July 1995. Less than three per cent of Australians were accessing the internet, indicating that few anticipated its eventual, even colossal potential. People and businesses were resisting this budding industry, and the use of email and webpages were the exception rather than the rule. Despite the minute up-take, State and Federal Governments were proposing heavy-handed regulation, similar to CB radio or print publications, which would inevitably crush its potential. Something had to be done.

A group of pioneers made up of the first dial-up internet service providers, tech journalists, university enthusiasts, new information technology businesses, and many early-adopter users rallied together and decided they needed to meet. Plans started forming, emails started flowing, and the vanguard of the Internet in Western Australia prepared for what would be the inception of an enduring association.

The day of the meeting arrived, Saturday, July 22, 1995. Over 50, some say 70, attendees arrived at DIALix – one of the largest Internet Service Providers (ISP) at the time – all motivated to promote internet take-up and resist the impending Government regulations. Some knew each other, some knew of each other, but they all shared a collective vision that brought them together.

The meeting room was buzzing and the atmosphere thick with a sense of community, not only unified by impending hardship but by a shared secret – that one way or another – they had all found themselves at the forefront of a new industry with unlimited potential.

As the meeting began, David Kitson – a journalist for Perth Sunday Times and administrator for Black Ice Technologies – began to speak, convening and conducting the meeting. As the different ISPs explained their issues with telecommunications access, it became clear that unprecedented regulation was not the only threat. The monopoly status of much of the infrastructure was a significant barrier to emerging players too. The meeting continued, and the sense of community and urgency in the room continued to build as it became more apparent that this was a battle they could not fight alone, but a war to be fought as an army.

The meeting ended abruptly; the vanguard of WA was in complete agreement that they needed the authority of a duly incorporated association as soon as practical. The Western Australian Internet Association (WAIA), a constant advocate for better internet policy, was formed.

Filled with anticipation and driven by the need for immediate action, the interim committee set to work and set in motion an association that would endure over time, committed to its Members, advocating for equality, and going on to build the largest carrier-neutral, not-for-profit internet exchange platform in Australia.

Discover IAA's peers and partners

It's official. We're a great place to work!

We’re proud to have been awarded Great Place to Work®-Certification for 2024-25. We wear this badge with pride, as a sign of a positive employee experience. In receiving this accreditation, we join the ranks of Cisco, Google and American Express. Great Place to Work is a globally recognised employee validation program.

Here’s what some of our employees have to say:
“Excellent flexibility working from home, and ample opportunity to attend to outside of work commitments and requirements and make up the work later when it suits.”

“Genuine flexibility and care from the management. Know how and understanding of the internet and internet industry. Our status and respect as a trusted player in the industry.”

“As a relatively small team, everyone is very busy but still happy to help each other out. We have lots of opportunities to grow in the industry, such as participating in industry forums and conferences.”

To discover more about our certification visit the Great Place to Work website.

Further your career at IAA. Find out about our current vacancies!

Narelle Clark

Chief Executive Officer

Narelle Clark joined IAA in 2019, becoming its first Chief Executive Officer in June 2020. Specialising in the application of networks and systems, Narelle has a broad technical and strategic view of Internet scale ICT delivery and has been a user, builder, operator and researcher of Internet networks through her extensive career with major telcos, research agencies and consumer bodies, as well as a leadership and governance background in the not-for-profit sector.

On first discovering the Internet in 1989, when a Lab Manager at UTS, Narelle set about wanting to connect every computer and piece of test equipment on her campus only to soon find herself in the team running the entire university network and all of the AARNet NSW regional network as well! This, in turn, led to a decade at Optus, where ultimately she led network architecture and their R&D program working closely with Singtel in areas like IPv6 adoption, data centre construction and OSS. After leaving Optus, she spent time with CSIRO leading their networking technologies research, sat on the Board of Trustees for the global Internet Society, then a stint in consumer advocacy and research before acting as Principal Consultant with Pavonis Consulting, where she advised companies in telecommunications regulation, operations and technology. Narelle is a current member of the Australian Computer Society, a former member of the ACS Technical Advisory Board, a Senior Member of the IEEE, an Honorary Fellow with the University of Wollongong, and holds a seat on the board of the Public Interest Registry, which operates the .Org top-level domain. Narelle has a degree in applied physics, a masters in telecommunications engineering and a post-graduate diploma in management.

Aaron Chidiac

Technical Team Leader

Aaron is one of IAA’s Technical Team Leader, charged with keeping the IX running smoothly.

Aaron joined the Association in April 2020 after working as a network engineer at a layer 2 ISP focusing on corporate MPLS based managed services.

He holds a diploma in networking from TAFE.

Aaron describes himself as a mediator (INFP), avid gamer and prefers a traffic-engineered approach to the fridge.

Sophia Joo

Senior Policy Officer &
Company Secretary

Sophia Joo is IAA’s Policy Officer and Company Secretary. 

Joining IAA in 2021, she brings previous experience as a paralegal for Yahoo Australia and further experience from an internship with the Environmental Defenders Office.

Sophia has a double degree in Bachelor of Law and Arts, majoring in Political Economy. She is currently awaiting to be admitted as a lawyer.

In her spare time, you will most likely find her at the beach enjoying the sun, surf and hot chips!

headshot of IAA admin and accounts assistant Jemma Goddard

Jemma Goddard

Management Accountant

Jemma Goddard is IAA’s Management Accountant responsible for all peering and membership invoicing enquiries.

Joining IAA in 2020, extensive work experience progressed from an accounts assistant to a management accountant level. Her areas of expertise include all aspects of accounting and bookkeeping, financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, taxation, asset management, employment obligations and entitlements. Her administrative background and work experience have aided the development of her time-management, multi-tasking and critical thinking skills.

Jemma is currently completing a bachelor’s degree majoring in accounting and project management with Edith Cowan University.

When you ask Jemma what she loves most, she would say, “I have a love of good food and wine!”

headshot of IAA project officer Tanzia Hewer

Tanzia Hewer

Program Manager

Tanzia Hewer is the Executive Assistant to the CEO and the Executive Officer for New Zealand Internet Exchange, overseeing various administrative tasks.

Joining IAA in 2018, she brings a wealth of local and global work experience, including banking and finance, recruitment, fashion, publishing, and telco industry experience.

Holding a bachelor’s degree with a double major in finance and tourism management, Tanzia also provides a diverse set of skills with a particular emphasis on project management.

Tanzia enjoys travel, good wine and photography.

headshot of IAA events manager Sabrina Chang-Rozario

Sabrina Rozario-Chang

Events & Marketing Manager

Sabrina Chang-Rozario is IAA’s Events & Marketing Manager.

Joining us in 2022, Sabrina brings with her over 15 years of international not-for-profit experience in stakeholder relations, program and event management, and relationship building; she is already an asset to our team.

In her spare time, Sabrina enjoys Pilates and yoga, dabbling in photography, reading the classics to her children and travelling – Covid dependent at the moment, unfortunately!

headshot of IAA executive officer and company secretary Kitty Hibble

Kitty Hibble

Strategic Projects Officer

Kitty Hibble is the Strategic Projects Officer at IAA, where she oversees business development initiatives, to grow our Member base and keep our competitive edge. 

Kitty joined IAA in 2019, coming to us with a background working in the not-for-profit sector with 13 years of experience in team leadership and executive support.

In her spare time, Kitty enjoys travelling, dabbling in property development, doing yoga and spending time with her young children.

Suzanne Thompson

Marketing Officer

Suzanne is an experience marketing and communications specialist, having worked at some of Australia’s biggest advertising agencies.

She takes the strategic lead on the market matters. She manages the planning and execution of strategies, from art direction through to copy, that promote the work and service offerings we provide to you. 

In her spare time Suzanne enjoys writing, running and swimming. 

Felicity Grigo

Accounts & Administration Assistant

Felicity has over six years of accounts and administration experience working in the hospitality sector. Outside of work Felicity is kept busy with her two children and loves an escape to Bali whenever possible.

headshot of IAA peering engineer Matthew Kobayashi

Matthew Kobayashi

Peering Engineer

Matthew Kobayashi is one of IAA’s Peering Engineers. Working with the tech team, he will be responsible for taking care of our network and assisting members with their technical enquiries.

Joining us in 2022, Matthew brings with him a vast amount of experience in roles within the telecommunications and networking sectors. He also previously worked as a heavy vehicle operator and a post-delivery driver.

In his spare time, Matthew enjoys going to the movies, indulging in his love for motorcycles – particularly his current ride, a 2020 BMW S 1000 XR – and is a student pilot. Although we won’t see him flying in the sky just yet, as he says, it’s a very expensive hobby!

Kyle Zrinski​

Lead Developer

Kyle Zrinski is IAA’s Lead Developer. As a key member of the tech team, he leads the development of the IAA Member Portal and plays a central role in shaping the organisation’s digital infrastructure.

Before joining IAA, Kyle worked as a Desktop IT Support Technician, gaining valuable hands-on experience in troubleshooting and systems support.

Kyle brings a real passion for software development -especially projects that are deeply integrated with the Internet – and is excited to continue growing within the tech industry.

In his spare time, Kyle enjoys tinkering with hobby electronics and 3D printers, designing projects such as smart plant pots and logic puzzles. You may even find him tearing up the racetrack or working on cars!

Cameron Steel

Developer

Cameron is one of IAA’s Developers. As part of the tech team, he will be helping build the IAA Member Portal.

Previously, Cameron has worked as an Audio Visual Technician in the events industry and in IT Support.

Cameron has a passion for all things networking, and is particularly interested in furthering the accessibility, reliability, security, and diversity of the Internet.

In his spare time, Cameron enjoys reading, working on home automation and electronics projects, and bushwalking.

headshot of IAA board chair Matthew Enger

Matthew Enger

Chair
Term 2022-2025

POSITIONS
Membership Committee
Technical Review Committee
Finance & Audit Committee
Regional IX Committee
NZIX Representative
Public Policy Advisory Panel Liaison

BIOGRAPHY:
Matt has significant experience working in not-for-profit organisations, being a volunteer in the Scouting movement and having business experience. He is the owner of X Integration, a small provider and an up-and-coming residential Internet provider (Leaptel) that prides itself on delivering high-quality Internet services to its customers.

Having already supported IAA in a number of ventures, Matt was a welcome addition to the Board in January 2020 and continues to serve the Association and its members.

headshot of IAA board deputy chair Brett O'Hara

Brett O'Hara

Deputy Chair
Term 2023-2026

POSITIONS:
Finance and Audit Committee (Chair)
Membership Committee
Regional IX Committee
Public Policy Advisory Panel Liaison

BIOGRAPHY:
Brett has been involved in the Australian Internet industry working as a Network Engineer for over 25 years across a range of telecommunications companies, large and small. Currently working as a Senior IP Engineer, Brett has significant experience in network engineering.

Brett joined the IAA Board in 2019 and hopes to continue serving Members and helping the Board achieve the future goals and outcomes of the Association.

headshot of IAA board member David Hooton

David Hooton

Field Solutions Group
Term 2023-2026

POSITIONS:
Membership Committee
Regional IX Committee
Finance & Audit Committee

BIOGRAPHY:
A specialist in developing and commercialising software automated networking solutions, David has built his career on building networking products and services that enable customers to control their own destiny.

Coming from a carrier engineering background, David has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by enterprises and carriers who are making the transition to a cloud-centric IT and services environment. David has worked closely with many organisations to deliver best practice hybrid cloud solutions that reduce costs, increase security and performance of cloud-hosted applications.

His experience working with the world’s leading enterprise, telecommunications, data centre and cloud service providers gives him a unique view into what really makes a successful customer-focused networking product.

As a serial internet and telecommunications entrepreneur, David was the founder of Platform Networks, an Australian pioneer in software orchestrated networks and one of the first companies to access the Australian National Broadband Network.

David has been on the IAA Board for the last three years, serving as Chairman for the last two years and hopes to continue supporting IAA in achieving its goals.

Nathan Brookfield

Professional Representative
Term 2022-2025

POSITIONS:
Technical Review Committee
Regional IX Committee
Finance & Audit Committee
NZIX Representative

BIOGRAPHY:
Alongside his numerous entrepreneurial and technical interests, including as founder of Simtronic Technologies, Nathan first served on IAA Board between 2015-2020, before taking a break to focus on his business.

Returning in 2022 Nathan’s continues to serve the Association with a vison for better services, more training opportunities, advocacy and events, to further the development and growth of our Members. Nathan now serves on our Technical Sub-committee and on the NZIX Committee.

Karl Kloppenborg

Professional Representative
Term 2024-2027

POSITIONS:
Membership Committee
Training and Certification Committee
PPAP Liaison 

BIOGRAPHY:
With over 15 years of hands-on experience in telecommunications, systems engineering, cloud computing and internet advocacy, Karl is perfectly positioned to contribute to the IAA’s continued growth and advancement.

Karl currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of ResetData Pty Ltd, where he is spearheading the development of the world’s first environmentally sustainable public cloud. Before joining ResetData, he held key positions at organisations such as Real World Group, DigitalMaas, and Crucial Cloud Hosting, where he designed and developed critical systems, including cloud environments and analytics platforms. His career has been marked by a dedication to innovation in cloud computing and distributed systems, and his technical expertise spans a range of programming languages, systems engineering tools, and virtualisation technologies.

In addition to his technical background, Karl is deeply committed to the development and governance of the internet. He has been actively involved with APNIC (Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre) for several years, advocating for policy changes related to transparency, fair representation, and meaningful reforms in internet governance. His advocacy efforts have provided him with valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing our global internet infrastructure.

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