Contact person and secretary

Your corporation size determines whether you have a contact person or a secretary.

Contact person

If your corporation is small or medium-sized it will have a contact person. 

A contact person is the point of contact for their corporation. The contact person receives letters, emails, telephone calls and messages. They then have 14 days to pass all communications to at least one of the corporation’s directors.

Secretary

A secretary is the central contact person for a large corporation. A secretary is an officer of the corporation and has certain legal duties. 

The secretary is responsible for submitting to us:

• general, financial and directors' reports
• any rule changes
• details of directors and secretaries and any changes
• the address of and any changes to the corporation’s registered office
• who the members, or former members are, if we ask

The secretary also lodges reports (general, financial and directors’) with ORIC.

Difference between large and small to medium corporations

Small and medium corporations are usually less complex than large ones. The directors can normally deal with the corporation’s legal obligations. 

Large corporations usually have more legal responsibilities and admin. The directors may need help to do their duties.

Eligibility

Both a contact person and secretary must:

• be at least 18 years old 
• usually live in Australia.

A person who has been disqualified from managing a corporation can’t be a contact person or secretary.

Appointing a contact person or secretary

Directors appoint the contact person or secretary. They usually do it at a directors’ meeting.

Before a person becomes a contact person or secretary they must give their consent in writing. The corporation must keep a copy of this consent.