Mid March this year I posted off 24 images to the Australian Photographic Society to try to achieve my goal of receiving my AAPS Skills Honours via Panel. They were viewed and assessed in the beginning of April... but I had to wait for that all important letter saying if I had passed or not.
Finally the letter came.... I was successful and had received my AAPS! What it basically means is my work is considered National Standard. I could have got it the sure-fire way via Exhibition, which means every National & International competition I get acceptances and/or places, they are awarded points. And to achieve AAPS, I needed 200 points. I don't have that many points, but a dear friend (who is also a Verifying Officer for Skills Honours) assured me after looking at my work, I should go for it via Panel.
The certificate & badge comes in September during or after APSCON. Unfortunately it is held in Western Australia, so I will not be attending the dinner to receive it in person, but my friend Tina Dial (who helped me) offered to receive it on my behalf.
Now when I enter competitions, I get to put AAPS after my name! WooHoo!

Copied From Australian Photography website
Associate(AAPS/AV-AAPS) -
This Honour is intended as a goal, offering a substantial challenge to the accomplished photographer. The standards required are deliberately kept high but not so high as to preclude active Australian and overseas photographers from applying. This Honour may be attained by the Exhibition or Panel system.