What is an incorporated society?

An incorporated society is a group or organisation that has been registered under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 and, when incorporated, is authorised by law to run its affairs as though it were an individual person.   This means that the members are not personally liable for the society's debts, contracts or other obligations.  Likewise, members do not have any personal interest in any property or assets owned by the society.

There are a wide range of groups and organisations that have become incorporated societies.  These include sports clubs, social clubs, music and cultural groups, special interest and activist organisations.

An incorporated society will continue to exist as long as it files certain documents with the Registrar of Incorporated Societies or until its members, or a creditor, decide to bring the society to an end.

Who may form an incorporated society?

Any group of 15 or more people may apply to become incorporated under the Act.  This means natural people (i.e. individuals) or other corporate bodies.  If some members of your group are corporate bodies then each of these bodies counts as three people for the purpose of making the minimum number of 15 members.  An unincorporated body cannot be a member of an incorporated society.

Corporate bodies include:

• incorporated societies
• companies incorporated under the Companies Act 1993
• charitable trusts incorporated under the Charitable Trusts Act 1957 or
• a city, district or regional council