It was begun in 1997 by a group of health professionals from Australia and New Zealand involved in trauma care.
In 2022 the ATS was renamed the Australian and New Zealand Trauma Society (ANZTS).
The stated aims of the ATS are: Membership of the Society is open to doctors, nurses and paramedical personnel from both Australia and New Zealand.
The ATS runs an annual scientific meeting either alone or in combination with other organisations such as the Trauma Association of Canada.
[3] An annual travelling fellowship is offered to a member to allow them to further their trauma care knowledge.