Modernising Australian co-operatives regulation

05 February 2025

• Australia’s apex body for co-operatives completes first national consultation on modernising regulation governing the sector since legislative harmonisation.
• Regulation for co-ops should be designed and implemented on a principle of no-disadvantage.
• 15 recommendations aim to level the playing field between co-ops and other business structures across all stages of business development from formation to growth and operations.

The BCCM has released final report from its 18-month industry consultation on modernising Co-operatives National Law, the legislation for registration of a co-operative in Australia.

The report puts forward 15 recommendations to level the playing field between co-ops and other business structures across all stages of business development from formation to growth and operations, including:

• Reducing maximum pre-approval times for formation rules
• Expressly allowing online general meetings
• Providing opt-in permanent legacy asset protection
• Providing national regulatory guidance on disclosure statement requirements
• Formal coordination between the co-operative Registrars and the Commonwealth so co-ops are actively considered in business regulatory reform processes.

Following a recommendation of the Better Prices, Better Competition inquiry, the BCCM has a strong platform to advocate for a modern regulatory environment for co-operatives and to elevate member-owned business in the minds of federal, state and territory policymakers.

The BCCM’s next step will be to socialise the report with policymakers and regulators to seek a formal review of the Co-operatives National Law, in line with the United Nation’s call for governments to review co-operatives legislation as part of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025.

A sincere thank you to all co-operatives who provided feedback that helped shape the final report.

Download our 15 recommendations quick guide.

About Co-operatives National Law

Co-operatives National Law is the harmonised scheme of state and territory legislation for the registration of a co-operative. It was implemented progressively from 2012 to 2020 when the final state came into the scheme. Western Australia has adopted the consistent Co-operatives Act 2009 (WA), while all other states and territories have adopted Co-operatives National Law.

1,400 co-operatives (of approximately 1,800 co-ops and mutuals nationally) are registered under the scheme in their home jurisdiction. It can be used by any co-operative organisation outside of financial services.  

Read more about the consultation and how regulation affects BCCM members.