Set up an incorporated association
An incorporated association has the same powers, benefits and responsibilities as a person. It can own land, sign a lease and appear in court. However, it is legally separate from its members in that:
- the committee makes the decisions
- the association is legally liable for the decisions the committee makes
- individuals on the committee aren't personally liable, if they act in good faith.
Before you can be incorporated in Queensland your unincorporated association must:
- have at least 7 members
- be not for profit
- have a physical Queensland address
- convene a general meeting to set up your association and adopt its rules.
Ready to apply online?
Apply to be an incorporated association
Read more about applying online.
Supporting information
You will need to supply the following (where relevant) with your application:
- the name, address and contact details of your committee members
- your association's objects, if you adopt the model rules as your association's rules
- your association's rules, if you create your own rules, and a statutory declaration confirming you adopted them (you can upload these now or provide them later)
- information about any land owned or leased by your association
- a letter of agreement from a parent association if your association is a branch of another association.
Find out more about the general meeting
Explore the steps your unincorporated association needs to take at a general meeting before you can become incorporated.
You must pass a resolution with a 3/4 majority to become an incorporated association.
You must appoint someone to complete the application to become an incorporated association.
You must choose a name for your incorporated association that:
- contains only English characters (letters A to Z, numbers 0 to 9, apostrophes, brackets and full stops)
- has 'Incorporated' or 'Inc.' at the end.
The name can't:
- be similar or identical to the name of
- another association
- a business
- a cooperative
- a company
- be confused with government agencies or financial or educational institutions
- imply an affiliation that doesn't exist with the royal family, ex-serviceperson organisations or major sporting events.
Find the full list of restrictions in the Associations Incorporation Regulation 1999.
Search the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's (ASIC) registers to see if the name you want is already taken.
All incorporated associations must have a written set of operating rules, sometimes known as the constitution.
The rules must set out:
- how the association operates
- the rights of members
- how the management committee works
- how meetings will run.
You can use the model rules provided by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) or you can write your own.
The rules come into effect once your association is incorporated.
Learn more about adopting rules for your association.
You need to follow your association's rules when electing the management committee.
There must be a minimum of 3 committee members, e.g. a president, treasurer and secretary, and your rules should help you decide the length of their appointment.
Learn more about incorporated association management committees.
Ongoing requirements of incorporated associations
Once incorporated, your association must:
- comply with the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 and the Associations Incorporation Regulation 1999
- review its financial affairs every year
- lodge copies of its rules, annual returns and financial statements with us.
Note: the public can access copies of documents lodged with us.
Read more about running an incorporated association.
Other ways to apply
Once you have completed the above steps, complete the application for an incorporated association form.
Have your supporting information ready.
- If you're using the model rules, complete Appendix B on the application form.
- If you're using your own rules, complete Appendix A.
You can lodge the form:
In person—visit one of our locations
By post
Registration Services Unit
Office of Fair Trading
GPO Box 3111
BRISBANE QLD 4001
Note: You can't apply by email or phone.
Processing time
Applications usually take 3 to 4 weeks to process. It can take longer if you haven't supplied all the information we need or paid the correct fees.
More information
- Read about law changes for incorporated associations.
- Register with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to operate outside of Queensland.
- Read the Smart business guide for incorporated associations for information about running an association.