Things to do before you apply

You can apply for incorporation online by uploading the required form.

Gather the information you will need

When applying to incorporate as a charitable trust board you will be asked to provide the following information:

• the name you have chosen for the board
• the address of your registered office
• a postal address for communication with us
• an email address for communication with us
• the names, addresses and signatures of the trustees.

Choosing a name

Before choosing a name for your trust board, be sure that you can use it. Your application will be rejected if the name you have chosen is unavailable.

There are some restrictions

The name you choose cannot contain certain words (for example, ANZAC, Royal) the use of which are prohibited by other pieces of legislation.

It cannot be identical or almost identical to that of another charitable trust board, or other body corporate (for example, a company or incorporated society), unless that organisation gives its written consent.

We may also reject names that are:

• likely to mislead people about the board’s nature or identity, or
• considered to be offensive.

How to check whether the name is available

You can search for a charitable trust board on this website, or use the search options on the Companies Office websites to perform a broader search of body corporates and other entity types.

Search for trust boards Search for a company

Your registered office address

Every charitable trust board must have a registered office. This address must be a physical location and include the street number in a town or city.

If the address is a named building, this name should be provided. If the building has more than one floor, or is made up of a suite of offices, then the floor or suite number should also be included.

You cannot use a post office box, private bag or DX address as the registered office.

Your email address

You must provide us with a current email address that we can use to communicate with you. We recommend that this email address is regularly monitored.

If your email address changes, you are responsible for updating this with us to ensure you can still receive our communications.

Prepare your forms and documents

Application

Trustees applying to incorporate as a charitable trust board must complete the an application form (Form CT1).

• The application form must be signed by a majority of the trustees (original signatures only).
• There must be at least one trustee.
• On the application form each applicant is required to provide their:
  • full name,
  • physical address, and
  • signature.

Download the application form you need

To apply online you need to complete an application form to upload.

To apply manually by submitting PDF forms, download and complete a slightly different version of the application form.

Statutory declaration

As part of the application, you will be asked to provide a statutory declaration by one of the applicants, under the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957, either identifying other trusts through which applicants hold property, or stating that there are no other trusts. The declaration should be dated on the day the application is made.

Copy of your trust deed (including any amendments)

You will also need to submit a copy of your trust deed, and any amendments to that document. This must be certified by one of the applicants, and include the following statement:

“I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the trust deed the [name of trust board] as per section 10(2)(a) of the Charitable Trusts Act 1957.”

Next step, apply for incorporation

Other guides in

Starting a charitable trust board

• Before you set up a trust board
• Trustees applying to incorporate a trust board
• Your responsibilities as a charitable trust board

Other help topics