business.gov.au

Registration of a Cooperative - Northern Territory

Description

You will need this registration if you intend to form a cooperative. A cooperative is an organisation owned and controlled by its members that operates primarily for the economic, social or cultural benefit of its members. A cooperative legally registered in one jurisdiction is able to operate in other jurisdictions without the need for further registration or reporting requirements.

A co-operative can be either a:

  • distributing co-operative
  • non-distributing co-operative.

A distributing co-operative can give a return or distribute surplus to the members of the co-operative as bonus shares, dividends or rebates. A non-distributing co-operative cannot give a return or distribute surplus to its members as they are not-for-profit organisations.

Service type

Licence

A licence defines the need to obtain recognition / certification and registration to undertake a certain business activity.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for this registration, the proposed co-operative must have:

  • approved rules
  • an approved draft disclosure statement
  • two or more co-operatives (for a co-operative group)
  • a membership of five or more people (for any other co-operative)
  • held a formation meeting.

Duration

As specified

Fees

Fees Details for this service in table format.

Task Type Business Structure Description
Apply Application All

Fee information can be found here. 

Forms

Act(s) name

Co-operatives (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2015 Northern Territory

Regulation(s) name

Co-operatives (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2015 Northern Territory

Application process

Apply

There are three steps to registering a new co-operative:

  1. Approval of a set of rules by the Registrar. A draft disclosure statement for distributing co-operatives must also be approved, and for other co-operatives if required by the Registrar.
  2. Once approved, a formation meeting is held to formally adopt the rules and, where a disclosure statement is required, to present the disclosure statement to prospective members.
  3. After the formation meeting, an application to register a co-operative form is lodged with the Registrar.

Administering agency

Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations

Contact details

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.