Purpose, vision and values

The Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) supports and regulates corporations that are incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act). It:

  • Offers advice and support on becoming incorporated, including the registration process and rule book development
  • Provides training, materials, resources and tools to assist corporations achieve good governance 
  • Monitors corporations’ compliance with the law and their rule book
  • Intervenes or takes enforcement action when needed and when in the best interest of members and the public
  • Maintains public registers including register of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations as well as register of disqualified officers

ORIC is also known as the Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations – this is the statutory title under the CATSI Act. The name ORIC was adopted from 1 May 2008. From 1977 to 2007 ORIC was known as the Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal Corporations. 

Our purpose

We regulate corporations registered under the CATSI Act – supporting them to be well governed in accordance with the CATSI Act and their own rule book. 

We do this by:

  • Registering corporations or transferring registrations to operate under the CATSI Act
  • Regulating compliance with the CATSI Act
  • Intervening when necessary and appropriate
  • Training directors, members and key staff in good governance
  • Supporting corporations to access services and resources 

Our vision

Well-governed and self-determining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations achieving their economic, social or cultural purpose.

Our values 

We deliver our purpose with independence, impartiality, respect and accountability. 

  • Independence – The Registrar is independent and apolitical. We are balanced in how we exercise the Registrar’s powers and do so without influence or interference. 
  • Impartiality – We remain neutral and treat all equally. We apply our policies and processes consistently, and we listen to all perspectives to ensure decisions and actions are free from bias. 
  • Respect – We show regard for the dignity of Indigenous people, their cultures, views and self-determination. We respect the diversity and worth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations and are committed to high-quality products and services that support them to achieve their purpose. 
  • Accountability – We are open and transparent in our decision-making and actions, accept responsibility for them, and are responsive to scrutiny. 

Our key clients

We are focused on serving:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations, their directors and members
  • First Nations individuals, groups and communities
  • The Minister for Indigenous Australians, and agencies supporting the Minister
  • The public.

In doing so we foster partnerships with: 

  • Funding bodies including governments and other who have interests in funds and/or assets controlled by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations
  • The Australian Government and state and territory governments
  • Other regulators
  • Indigenous peak and representative bodies
  • Other Indigenous Portfolio Bodies.

Portfolio agency and machinery of government changes

As set out in the CATSI Act the Registrar is supported by staffing provided by the department, which as of 1 July 2019 has been the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA). Prior to this staffing have been provided by:

  • 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 National Indigenous Australians Agency website.

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