--- title: "Guide to using corporation information" source: "https://www.oric.gov.au/corporations-and-registers/guide-using-corporation-information" collection: "oric-governance" guidance_commit: "db3111cd9d11643ac08b34b4d75b0d0d983ca388" --- # Guide to using corporation information Anyone can use public information to help understand if a corporation is following the law, complying with its reporting obligations, operating in line with its rules, and whether there are any potential risks or concerns. ## On this page - Making the most of public information - What information is available? - Consolidated data and lists - Accuracy of information - Frequently sought information Back to top ## Making the most of public information ### For corporation members Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations are owned and controlled by their members. The CATSI Act promotes transparency, which means members have the right to receive information about their corporation and ask questions about how it is governed and managed. ORIC helps members stay informed by providing free access to key information through the Register of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations. This includes: the corporation's rule book; annual reports; director details; exemptions granted by ORIC; any regulatory action taken by ORIC. Members can use this information to check: whether reporting obligations have been met; who the current directors are; whether director appointments comply with the rule book or there have been changes outside an AGM; whether there is regulatory action being taken; any potential governance or compliance concerns. ### For funding bodies Funding bodies can use ORIC's public information to help assess governance, compliance and risk when considering grants or monitoring funded organisations. Information available through ORIC can help funders: confirm a corporation's status and key details; assess compliance with reporting obligations; review financial information; verify that the corporation is Indigenous owned and controlled; see signs of governance instability. This information can support initial due diligence and risk assessments before seeking further assurance directly from the corporation. ### For buyers using Indigenous procurement policies Organisations purchasing goods or services under Indigenous procurement policies can use ORIC information to confirm that a corporation is Indigenous owned and controlled. All corporations registered under the CATSI Act must meet ownership and control requirements, including: members must approve rules allowing non-Indigenous people to become members; the majority of members are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; the majority of directors are members, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Under the CATSI Act corporations can be structured as either not-for-profit or for-profit. Most are not-for-profit, choosing to invest their profits into social impact purposes rather than generating wealth for owners. Buyers using Supply Nation's 'Indigenous Business Directory' should be aware that under Supply Nation's registration model, not-for-profit organisations are ineligible for 'certified' status. They can only attain 'registered' status as they are not subject to additional business validations carried out by Supply Nation. ORIC information can provide an alternative source of assurance about Indigenous ownership, as well as governance, compliance and financial reporting. Buyers should seek information about capability, experience and delivery performance from other sources. Back to top ## What information is available? The CATSI Act requires certain information about corporations to be publicly available. Anyone can access: - information and documents about corporations – [Register of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations](https://www.oric.gov.au/corporations-and-registers/register-corporations) - a list of people disqualified by a court or the Registrar – [Register of disqualified officers](https://www.oric.gov.au/corporations-and-registers/disqualified-persons-and-officers) - downloadable datasets and statistics about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations – [Data about corporations](https://www.oric.gov.au/corporations-and-registers/data-about-corporations) - prosecution outcomes for the past 5 years – [Prosecution outcomes](https://www.oric.gov.au/about-us/regulatory-decisions-and-actions/prosecution-outcomes) Some information cannot be published because of privacy requirements or legal protections under the CATSI Act. Exempt documents are listed section 421-1(4) of the CATSI Act, and in clauses 1 and 2 of schedule 3 of the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Regulations 2017. To find out what additional information and documents may be available and whether it can be inspected contact . Back to top ## Consolidated data and lists ORIC occasionally publishes consolidated datasets, including: - corporations with overdue reports - corporations proposed for deregistration - a full listing of all corporations. These datasets are compiled from individual corporation records. Users should refer to the corporation's individual register entry as the authoritative source of information. Back to top ## Accuracy of information Information on the Register of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations comes from different sources. Corporations are responsible for the accuracy of information they prepare and lodge with ORIC, including: director details; member information; contact details; forms and reports submitted to ORIC. ORIC is responsible for information about: regulatory decisions and actions; disqualifications; prosecution outcomes. Some information on the register of corporations is provided by third parties, such as special administrators or liquidators. These parties are responsible for the information they submit. This means that responsibility for the accuracy of information depends on who prepared and lodged it. Back to top ## Frequently sought information Back to top