The Registry of Co-operatives & Associations, part of NSW Fair Trading, registers and regulates co-operatives, co-operative housing & Starr-Bowkett societies, incorporated associations and the contributory and pre-paid funeral funds sectors in NSW.

The role of the Registry

The role of the Registry is to regulate:

• co-operatives registered under Co-operatives Act 1992
• co-operative housing and Starr-Bowkett societies registered under the Co-operative Housing & Starr-Bowkett Societies Act 1998
• incorporated associations registered under the Associations Incorporations Act 2009
• contributory and pre-paid funeral funds registered under the Funeral Funds Act 1979.

Functions of the Registry

The Registry functions are to:

• assist with the establishment and registration of co-operatives, incorporated associations and funeral fund
• maintain public registers for the entities regulated by the Registry, including rules for the Country Women’s Association
• educate and inform those entities and their members of the Registry's role and activities, legal frameworks and their rights and responsibilities
• review current laws and implement law changes, such as the development and implementation of national co-operatives law
• ensure all entities are meeting their responsibilities through proactive, risk based compliance programs
• support entities and their members in their compliance obligations by providing timely and accurate services, including processing registrations and responding to queries and complaints
• support other Government departments in their operations.

Guarantee of service

The Registry guarantees:

• approved applications for name reservation and registration of incorporated associations will be processed within 5 business days of lodgement by mail
• complete annual summary of financial affairs for incorporated associations will be processed within 10 business days of lodgement by mail
• complete applications for registration of new co-operatives will be processed within 28 days of receipt of finalised documents.

Contact details

Registry of Co-operatives & Associations
PO Box 22
154 Russell Street
Bathurst NSW 2795
DX 3123 Bathurst
Telephone: 6333 1400
FreeCall: 1800 502 042
Fax: 6333 1444
Email: registryinquiries@services.nsw.gov.au

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