Incorporated bodies include:
- corporations
- indigenous corporations
- incorporated associations.
For more information on whether this is the right change for your incorporated body, please go to What is a Co-operative?
Application for pre-approval
You can lodge a co-operative pre-approval for registration form via myCAV, including any supporting documentation. This may include:
How to lodge a co-operative pre-approval for registration application via myCAV
- Sign into your myCAV account
- Scroll down to the section ‘Apply for a licence or registration in myCAV’
- Click on ‘Co-operatives’ and then ‘Lodge co-operative pre-approval for registration form’.
After you lodge your pre-approval for registration application
The standard processing time is 28 days.
If we approve your name, rules and disclosure statement, we will send you a notification via email which you can access in your myCAV account.
Alternatively, we may ask you to choose another name, redraft your rules, or redraft your disclosure statement.
Formation meeting
When holding a formation meeting, use your current articles of association or rules. There must be at least 5 members present, or more if your rules require it.
Propose that your members deregister as an incorporated body and register as a co-operative. If the approved rules are altered in any way, a new pre-approval application must be lodged. Fees will apply. Refer to Fees and forms – co-operatives.
Application to register
Complete and lodge a co-operative registration application form via myCAV. This will ask you to upload to myCAV the Application to register a co-operative form and the following supporting information:
- a declaration, signed by all directors and committee members of your currently incorporated body, that it can pay any debts incurred
- a statement of your current assets and liabilities
- a copy of your memorandum and articles of association or rules
- evidence that you are incorporated.
Cancellation of previous incorporated status
Once your application to register a co-operative has been accepted, apply to the relevant authority you are incorporated under, to be deregistered. Note: If you are registered as an incorporated association in another state, you will need to apply to the authority in that state.
When the authority agrees to deregister you, write to us within seven days confirming this.
We will register your organisation as a co-operative on the day it is deregistered as an incorporated body and send you a registration certificate.
Steps to register a new co-operative
1. Apply for approval of the co-operative's proposed name, rules and disclosure statement (if applicable) by lodging a pre-approval application.
2. Hold a formation meeting with the co-operative's members and directors.
3. Apply for registration of the co-operative.