Incorporated Societies: Time to start preparing for Reregistration
If your group is an incorporated society, now is the time to prepare for re-registration under the new Incorporated Societies Act 2022, which came into effect on 5 October 2023. All existing societies must reregister by 5 April 2026 or they risk being removed from the register. While that deadline may seem distant, updating your constitution and meeting the new requirements can take longer than expected—so it’s important to start now.
Reregistering is essential to retain the legal and practical benefits of incorporation, such as limited liability and the ability to apply for funding in the society’s name. Societies that fail to reregister by the deadline may face serious implications, including loss of legal status and potential personal liability for members.
To prepare for re-registration, societies will need to:
Update their constitution to meet new legal requirements. The 2022 Act is more detailed than the previous legislation, so some additional clauses will likely be needed – particularly around dispute resolution and membership management. For example, societies must now have a minimum of 10 members.
Appoint a qualified committee of at least three people who consent in writing and meet eligibility requirements.
Name one to three contact people to act as the main point of communication with the Registrar.
Review internal processes to support new recordkeeping, consent, and reporting obligations.
The Constitution Builder is a helpful online tool to guide societies through creating or updating their constitution to meet the new requirements.
While these changes may seem daunting, they are designed to support good governance and transparency. Taking proactive steps now will help ensure a smooth transition.
More information, templates, and tools are available at:
Law changes for incorporated societies | Incorporated Societies