Published on Thursday, 30 October 2025 at 9:19:21 AM
Recent changes to the Associations Incorporation Act 2015 (WA) will help Incorporated organisations in Western Australia operate more efficiently, and flexibly thanks to new laws passed by State Parliament.
These reforms which impact more than 15,000 not-for-profit organisations currently operating as incorporated associations. These reforms stem from a statutory review of the Act.
Some amendments are now in effect while others will commence once supporting regulations are finalised.
Key changes now in effect:
- Technology enabled meetings: Associations can hold meetings using technology (such as video conferencing), unless their rules state otherwise. This makes it easier for members to participate and vote, and help groups engage with people with valuable skills regardless of location;
- Cancellations: The Commissioner for Consumer Protection now has the power to cancel an associations incorporation if it's in the public interest;
- Fixed term appointments: Associations can appoint auditors and reviewers for between two and five years, if it is specified in their rules;
- Improved appeal rights: Expelled members now have better access to apply to the State Administrative Tribunal for review of their explusion;
- New rule requirement: Associations need to specify in their rules who is responsible for lodgement of documents with Consumer Protection (Schedule 1, Item 6A).
- Other technical amendments: These include expanding the range of eligible beneficiaries under section 24 of the Act, winding up procedures and administrative processes.
Key changes pending commencement:
- Name reservation: Associations will be able to reservice a name for up to three months when applying for incorporation or changing name;
- Privacy protections: Access to personal information for members can be restricted in certain situations, including when safety is a concern;
- Financial restructuring: Associations facing financial difficulty will be able to access small business restructuring provisions under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) to provide an alternative to winding-up in cases of financial difficulty; and
Consumer Protection is reviewing systems, recourses and publications to reflect the changes. New guidance materials will be released to help support associations in understanding and implementing the reforms. Further updates will be provided as these resources become available.
Further information about the reforms is available by clicking on: Public Sector Reform.
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