An incorporated association is an organisation incorporated under state or territory law, that is usually not-for-profit.
Its structure establishes it as a legal entity separate from its individual members.
You can recognise an incorporated association by the word 'Incorporated' or the abbreviation 'Inc' after its name.
Many charities registered with the ACNC are incorporated associations. To register as a charity with the ACNC, an incorporated association needs to meet our eligibility criteria.
See our guidance about registering a charity for more information.
Requirements for incorporated associations
The specific requirements of an incorporated association vary depending on the state or territory of incorporation, but generally they must:
- have a minimum number of members
- be managed by a committee of management that meets at least once a year at an annual general meeting (AGM)
- have a set of rules (a governing document)
- operate in the state or territory it is incorporated in.
Incorporated associations may operate outside of their state or territory of incorporation if they are registered as a registrable Australian body.
All registered charities, including incorporated associations, have ongoing obligations to the ACNC that they must meet to maintain their registration.
Incorporated associations may have obligations to state or territory government regulators, such as providing annual reports or keeping financial records.
See our guidance about state and territory regulators to find your incorporating regulator.
We work with state and territory regulators to set up streamlined reporting arrangements to reduce red tape and ease the administrative burden for charities.