Steps to incorporation

Generally, organisations that may incorporate are small non-commercial community groups. With very limited exceptions incorporated associations are not permitted to provide a profit for their members. The types of associations that may consider incorporation as an incorporated association are: sporting groups, arts and crafts groups, social groups, ethnic and cultural groups, pensioner associations, musical societies and environmental groups.

A minimum of 5 members is required for a group to be eligible for incorporation. The steps to incorporate vary, depending on whether your group is just starting out or is already an unincorporated association, a co-operative or a company.

For new groups forming or unincorporated associations:

To help you understand the steps when incorporating an association, see our fact sheet entitled Setting up an Incorporated Association.

This information is also available in a number of community languages in PDF format:

Setting up an Incorporated Association (Arabic version, size: 134k)
Setting up an Incorporated Association (Italian version, size: 88k)
Setting up an Incorporated Association (Spanish version, size: 87k)
Setting up an Incorporated Association (Vietnamese version, size: 109k)

For co-operatives or companies transferring incorporation:

The procedure is different for a co-operative or a company transferring its incorporation to an incorporated association. Please contact the Registry of Co-operatives & Associations for further information on this process.

Ongoing responsibilities for incorporated associations:

To help you understanding the ongoing responsibilities of an incorporated association, download a copy of the fact sheet Running an incorporated association.