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Incorporated associations

Under the Associations Incorporation Act 1991 (the Act), incorporation creates a legal entity separate and distinct from the individual members in an association.

It distinguishes the liability of an association from that of its members.

There is no requirement for an organisation or association to incorporate.

If you are unsure about incorporation, seek independent legal advice.

Once incorporated, associations have certain obligations and reporting requirements.

Read the:

Model rules

Instead of creating your own rules you can adopt the model rules.

Find the model rules in Schedule 1 of the Associations Incorporation Regulation 2023.

If you would like to make changes to your rules, you need to submit a Change of rules or objects of an association form.

If your association operates under its own set of rules, and you want to adopt the model rules, you should follow your association’s own procedures for changing its rules.

If you adopted the model rules early

New model rules became effective on 1 February 2024.

If you adopted the new model rules while the old model rules were still in force, you would have adopted ‘alternate rules’. This means any future changes to the model rules will not automatically apply to you.

If you adopted the new rules before 1 February 2024, and you want future changes to the model rules to automatically apply, you'll need to hold another general meeting on or after 1 February 2024 to pass a special resolution to adopt the new model rules.

How the model rules apply to associations with their own rules

If an association has its own rules, the model rules apply to the association in relation to any matters that are not dealt with in an association’s own rules.

Eligibility for incorporation

Eligibility for incorporation is set out at s14 of Associations Incorporation Act 1991.

A group of 5 or more people may authorise an ACT resident aged 18 or over to apply on behalf of the association.

Apply for incorporation

You can apply by:

  1. Completing the:
  2. Paying the fee. You can do this online.

Both the online and paper version of the form contain a checklist to make sure you provide all required documentation.

Access Canberra will contact you if we need more information.

Make an incorporated association payment

Amalgamation with other associations

Two or more incorporated associations can apply to incorporate as a single incorporated association.

To apply:

  1. Complete the Application to amalgamate associations (PDF 316KB) (Word 222KB) form.
  2. Submit it to Access Canberra by:
    • email to citl@act.gov.au
    • post to Access Canberra, GPO BOX 158, Canberra City ACT 2601.
  3. Pay the fee. You can pay the fee online.

Changes to an incorporated association

You need to notify Access Canberra of changes to the incorporated association.

Submitting applications

Some notifications can be completed online. Others you can download the form and submit it to Access Canberra by:

  • email to citl@act.gov.au
  • post to Access Canberra, GPO BOX 158, Canberra City ACT 2601.

Most notifications attract a fee. You can pay this either as part of the online form, or by using the Associations fees and charges form.

Changes to rules or objects

Complete the Change of rules or objects of an association (PDF 187KB) (Word 178KB) form.

Two current committee members must sign the form.

Include:

  • a written statement of the specific changes
  • a fully updated copy of the association’s objects and purposes
  • a fully updated copy of the association’s rules, unless the association is adopting the model rules
  • a completed Association constitution and rules checklist.

Change of association name

Complete the Application for change of association name (PDF 136KB) (Word 137KB) form.

Changes of committee particulars

You must notify Access Canberra of changes to the committee membership, or committee members’ addresses within one month of the change occurring.

Complete either:

Change of public officer

You must notify Access Canberra of a change in public officer or their address within one month of the change occurring. To notify Access Canberra:

Complete either:

Change of registered office particulars

You must notify Access Canberra when you open a registered office or change the address or opening hours for a registered office within 7 days of the change occurring.

Complete either:

Annual returns

Incorporated association must lodge an annual return with Access Canberra.

The committee of the association must lodge annual returns to Access Canberra within 6 months of the end of the most recently ended financial year.

If annual returns are not lodged for 2 consecutive years, the association’s incorporation may be cancelled.

You can submit an annual return by:

  1. Completing the:
  2. Include:
    • an audited statement of the association's accounts
    • a copy of the auditor's report in relation to those accounts.
  3. Submit it to Access Canberra by:
    • email to citl@act.gov.au
    • post to Access Canberra, GPO BOX 158, Canberra City ACT 2601.

Annual returns lodged on time do not attract a fee.

Charities

Charities that are incorporated associations don’t need to submit annual returns to Access Canberra if they:

  • are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC).
  • have submitted a full annual information statement to the ACNC.

Visit the ACNC website for information charity reporting requirements.

Read about charitable collection licences.

Public register

Once an association is incorporated in the ACT, the documentation is made available to the public for a fee.

View the public register of incorporated associations.

The status definitions are:

  • C: Current
  • Z: Reserved
  • H: Historic.

Forms and fees

View all incorporated association forms and fees.

Report an issue with an incorporated association

If there are grounds for believing an offence against the Associations Incorporation ACT 1991 (the Act) has been committed, we can investigate.

Under the Act, we cannot help resolve internal disputes within incorporated associations.

What we do

Depending on the details of your complaint we may:

  • investigate your complaint
  • recommend the Registrar General consider enforcement action
  • refer your complaint to another agency.

Generally, we will not investigate a complaint if:

  • there is no evidence of a serious breach of the Act
  • there is not enough information to investigate
  • it should be investigated by another agency, such as the police
  • it would be better resolved through an internal dispute resolution service, education or engagement activities.

Making a complaint

You can make a complaint using our online feedback form.

You'll need to provide:

  • the name and contact details of the association
  • information about the issue, including dates, costs and payment details
  • supporting evidence such as relevant documents, receipts, contracts, emails and letters.

Make a complaint

What happens next

We’ll review the information you provide us and decide if we can help. If we can’t help you, we’ll contact you with options to help you resolve your dispute.

We’ll reply to your complaint in 2 days and provide you with an initial response in 10 business days.