Society applying to incorporate a trust board

Your options for incorporating have changed

If you’re part of a group that’s looking at formalising its structure; the options have changed. From 5 October 2023, you can no longer apply for incorporation as a society-based charitable trust board. Instead, you may wish to consider forming an incorporated society with a charitable purpose.

It’s important you understand what it means to become an incorporated society. You might choose to seek professional advice to help you decide which organisational structure best suits your needs.

Registering as an incorporated society

The Incorporated Societies Act 2022 (2022 Act) has introduced new requirements for incorporated societies.

Under the 2022 Act, societies need to:

  • provide a constitution that’s compliant with the 2022 Act.
  • include an appropriate dispute resolution process in their constitution.
  • have a committee that’s responsible for managing the operation and affairs of the society.
  • have at least 10 members and ensure all new members provide consent to becoming a member.
  • provide at least one person’s contact details (these details will be used by the Registrar to contact the society).

More information is on the Incorporated Societies Register website

We’ve only mentioned a few highlights of the law changes here. If you’d like to know more, visit our Law Changes Hub for more information on what’s changed for incorporated societies.

Visit our Law Changes Hub

If you would like information on registering as an incorporated society, read the guides in our Incorporated Societies Register Help Centre.

All help topics

Getting started on the register 8 guides

Searching the Charitable Trusts Register 2 guides

Searching the register for information about charitable trust boards and their status.

Starting a charitable trust board 5 guides

To incorporate a charitable trust board you must submit an application, along with the required documents. There is no registration fee.

Keeping charitable trust board details up to date 7 guides

Ending a charitable trust board 2 guides

There are two ways to end a charitable trust board. If the board is no longer operating, it can apply to be dissolved. If it is unable to pay its debts, it can be placed in liquidation.

Restoring a charitable trust board to the register 1 guide

A trust board that has been removed from the Charitable Trusts Register can apply to us to be restored.

Forms 1 guide

Find the forms you'll need to register your charitable trust board or keep its details up to date. Please note: there are no fees for registering or maintaining a charitable trust board.