List of general fraternities

These are fraternal organizations that operate internationally.

Fraternities or lodges were an important part of Australian society in the 19th and the first half of the 20th century. After the Second World War, they were gradually replaced by "service clubs", such as Lions, Apex and Rotary. By the end of the 20th century, most fraternities had been wound up except for the Freemasons and a few lodges of the Buffaloes. Many fraternities also offered insurance to their members and as membership declined, these operations were either combined with other non profit insurance companies or sold with the proceeds being distributed to charitable causes.

The reasons for their decline probably have something to do with their male only membership, generational change and bemusement at secretive rites and rituals. All fraternities had different rules and rites, but they all appear to have been complex. The service clubs that succeeded the fraternities also operated as social networks and did fairly similar charitable work. No general history has been written, but some of the many lodges that operated in the state of Victoria were:

• Freemasons, including United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory
• Knights of the Southern Cross

• Beta Sigma Phi, non-collegiate sorority
• Independent Order of Odd Fellows
  • Ladies of the Orient (LOTO)
• Loyal Order of Moose
• Orange Order in Canada
• Order of Alhambra
• Pancretan Association of America
• Ukrainian National Association

• Afrikaner Broederbond
• Freemasonry in South Africa

• Benefit society
• Fraternal order
• List of friendly and benefit societies
• List of Masonic Grand Lodges
• List of North American ethnic and religious fraternal orders
• List of North American fraternal orders
• List of social fraternities
• List of social sororities and women's fraternities
• Secret society
• Service club
• Social club