About the Registrar
The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations is an independent statutory office holder who administers the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act). The CATSI Act has some unique features:
- Registered corporations must be owned and controlled by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people—a majority of both members and directors must be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.
- The Registrar has special powers, for example to appoint examiners and special administrators.
- The Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) provides support to corporations to strengthen their corporate governance and conducts research.
ORIC supports corporations by:
- advising on how to incorporate
- training directors, members and key staff in good corporate governance
- ensuring compliance with the law
- intervening when needed.
About the Yearbook
Although not required by legislation to produce an annual report, the Registrar believes it is appropriate and good practice to publish a yearbook to inform all clients and stakeholders about the work of ORIC.
ORIC has also contributed to the 2017–18 annual report of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.