About us

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The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations is an independent statutory office holder appointed by the Minister for Indigenous Affairs under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act). The Registrar is Mr Selwyn Button.

The Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) supports and regulates the corporations that are incorporated under the Act. It provides a tailored service that responds to the special needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups and corporations, and strives for national and international best practice in corporate governance. It offers advice on how to incorporate, delivers training for directors, members and key staff in good corporate governance, makes sure corporations comply with the law, and intervenes when needed.

ORIC was previously known as the Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations (this remains the statutory title under the CATSI Act) and the Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal Corporations (1977–2007). The name ORIC was adopted from 1 May 2008.

Our purpose

Our purpose is to effectively administer the CATSI Act, which requires us to:

  • register Indigenous groups that want to incorporate or to transfer their registration to operate under the CATSI Act
  • help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations to run properly—according to their own rules and cultures—and ensure they don't break the law
  • offer support, advice and training to help corporations do the best job for their communities.

Our vision

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people building strong communities through strong corporations

Our key clients

We are focused on serving:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, groups and corporations
  • people accessing the public registers under the CATSI Act—the public Register of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations, and the Register of Disqualified Officers
  • the minister and agencies supporting the minister
  • the Australian Government and state and territory governments
  • agencies with interests in funds and/or assets controlled by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations
  • other agencies regulating the Indigenous corporate sector
  • Indigenous peak bodies in critical sectors such as medical, housing, land holding and legal.

You can find out more about corporations currently incorporated under the CATSI Act through the latest:

Portfolio agency and machinery of government changes

ORIC is part of the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA). This change came into effect on 1 July 2019 when the executive agency was created.

ORIC's previous agencies were:

  • Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PMC)—on 18 September 2013 the Administrative Arrangements Orders moved Indigenous affairs to PMC.
  • Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)—On 24 January 2006 ORAC (as it was called at the time) and the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination (OIPC) became part of the new Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA) portfolio, formerly the Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS). This new department was formed on 27 January 2006.
  • Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA)—ORAC was transferred to DIMIA on 1 July 2004 after the Australian Government’s decision to abolish both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services (ATSIS) and distribute their programs and services to mainstream Australian Government agencies.

Budget

For details about the Budget see the PMC website.