One of Australia's most exclusive sporting clubs is accused of ripping off members who can wait up to 13 years and pay thousands to join

One of the country's most exclusive sporting clubs has been accused of short-changing new members who can wait more than a decade and pay a small fortune to join.

The Sydney Cricket Ground at Moore Park on the outskirts of the CBD is currently accepting new members, for the first time since 2020.

Fees start at $692 for a single and $1316 for a double membership - and that doesn't include the mandatory joining fee, which sits at $1500.

But unlike existing members, newcomers have been controversially informed they won't have access to the popular 'club cards', a bonus transferable token which grants entry to friends or family.

Bizarrely, longstanding SCG members will be able to utilise their old cards - even though both new and old members will pay the same annual fees.

One seething new member labelled the outcome a blatant cash grab and fears it will 'create a class system'.

As it stands, there are 18,000 SCG members, who can watch AFL, NRL and cricket matches year after year in luxury seating.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, in 2019 there were 27,000 people on the waiting list, and it usually takes 13 years to become an official member.

Venues NSW argued the newly implemented system will see a significant increase in members.

'The current program allows us to better forecast attendances in member areas, ensuring the best experience for members and guests in regards to the food and beverage offering, staffing and so forth,' a spokesperson said. 

'New members also have the opportunity to join in less wait time.'

The decorated multi-access sporting ground was previously governed by the SCG Trust.

But in 2020, the NSW government merged the SCG Trust with Venues NSW, which also looks after Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park.