Incorporation

When a community organisation goes beyond being a relatively informal gathering of members and begins to deal with significant amounts of money and employing staff, it is probably time to incorporate. Incorporation establishes an organisation as a separate entity from its members, which has the power to make contracts, employ people and have legal standing in Courts. However, incorporation also places additional obligations on your organisation, so be sure that you really want to incorporate before you go ahead. This section provides information on the decision to incorporate, different mechanisms for incorporation, and some guidance on the processes involved with running an incorporated entity:

• Should we Incorporate?
• Different Ways to Incorporate
• Incorporated Association
• Company Limited by Guarantee
• Process of Incorporating an Association
• The Common Seal
• Annual General Meetings
• Association Membership
• Engaging your Members
• Winding Up an Association

Useful Web Resources

The OIK is not the only web resource available on incorporated entities. If you can't find the information here, it might be elsewhere on the internet. If you're having trouble, you can also Contact Us and we'll do our best to find the information for you.

• There is a range of resources and information on the Incorporated Associations section of the ACT Office of Regulatory Services. The site also contains the forms and information required to incorporate or complete your annual return
• Information on Registering Not-For-Profit Companies can be found on the the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) website
• You can browse or download INC. - A guide to Incorporated Associations from the West Australian Department of Consumer and Employment Protection website

This website does not constitute legal advice. ACTCOSS does not warrant or guarantee the currency, accuracy or completeness of information contained on this website. For further information, read our disclaimer.