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Your Company Constitution

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CONSTITUTION OF ____________________
ACN: ____________
(the "Company")

  1. Replaceable Rules
  2. This Constitution supplements the Replaceable Rules in the Corporations Act 2001. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Constitution and the Replaceable Rules, the provisions of this Constitution will prevail.

  3. SHAREHOLDERS

  4. Annual General Meeting
  5. A meeting of the Shareholders of the Company (the "Shareholders") will be held annually for the purpose of electing directors (the "Directors") of the Company and for the purpose of doing other business as may come before the meeting. If the day fixed for the annual general meeting is a public holiday in the State of , the annual general meeting will be held on the next succeeding business day or on a date determined by the board of directors for the Company (the "Board") that is no later than two weeks after the date specified in the meeting notice.
  6. Meetings of Shareholders
  7. Unless otherwise prescribed by statute, meetings of the Shareholders, for any purpose or purposes, may only be called in the following ways:
    1. By a majority of the Board;
    2. By the president of the Company (the "President"); or
    3. By the Directors upon the request of holders of shares entitled to cast in total not less than 5 percent of the votes that may be cast at the general meeting where written requests describing the purpose or purposes for the meeting are signed, dated and delivered to a member of the Board or other Officer of the Company.
  8. The Board will determine the time, place and date of any meeting provided that, in the case of a meeting called by the requisite percentage of Shareholders in accordance with this Constitution, the Board will issue notice of the meeting within 30 days of receipt of the written demand(s) by the relevant Officer of the Company.
  9. Notice of Meetings
  10. The written notice of any meeting will be given not less than 21 days before the date of the meeting to each Shareholder entitled to vote at that meeting and to the appointed auditor of the Company (if applicable). The written notice of the meeting will state the place or places, the date and the time of the meeting, and the means of remote communications, if any and, for meetings other than the annual general meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.
  11. Subject to the Corporations Act 2001, if shareholders entitled to cast at least 95% of the votes at the meeting are in agreement, the Company may call the meeting on shorter notice. Notice must be given individually to each Shareholder entitled to vote, either in person, by Australia Post, or by any electronic means nominated by individual Shareholders. Notice is deemed effective one day after being sent by electronic means, or three days after being sent by post.
  12. Resolutions without Meetings
  13. Any action to be taken at any meeting of Shareholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if consent in writing, setting forth the action to be taken, is signed by all the Shareholders entitled to vote on the matter and delivered to the Company. The consent may consist of one document duly signed by all the Shareholders, or multiple identical documents each signed by one or more of the Shareholders. Every written consent will bear the date of signature of each Shareholder who signs the consent. Each Shareholder of a jointly held shareholding must sign. The resolution is passed when the last Shareholder signs.
  14. Remote Communication Meetings
  15. Remote communication means any electronic communication including conference telephone, video conference, the internet, or any other method currently available or developed in the future by which Shareholders not present in the same physical location may simultaneously communicate with each other.
  16. In the sole and reasonable discretion of the Board, and provided the Shareholders as a whole have a reasonable opportunity to participate, a meeting of Shareholders of the Company may be facilitated by any means of remote communication. Where a meeting will employ remote communication, one or more Shareholders may participate by means of remote communication or the meeting may be held solely by means of remote communication at the sole discretion of the Board. Where any remote communication is used in a Shareholder meeting, all persons authorised to vote or take other action at the meeting must be able to hear each other during the meeting and each person will have a reasonable opportunity to participate. This remote participation in a meeting will constitute presence in person at the meeting. All votes or other actions taken at the meeting by means of electronic transmission must be maintained as a matter of record by the Company.
  17. Register of Shareholders Entitled to Vote
  18. The Officer who has charge of the Register of Shareholders of the Company will prepare and make, the day before notice of meeting of the Shareholders is sent, a complete register of the Shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the postal address, or nominated electronic address of each Shareholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each Shareholder. The register must be available for inspection by any Shareholder during the meeting. The register must be provided for any purpose related to the meeting:
    1. On a reasonably accessible electronic network, so long as the information required to access the register is provided with the notice of the meeting; or
    2. During ordinary business hours, at the Registered Office of the Company.
  19. If the Company decides to make the register available on an electronic network, the Company will ensure that this information is available only to Shareholders of the Company. If the meeting is to be held at a physical location, then the register will be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time of the meeting and may be inspected by any Shareholder who is present.
  20. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the register will also be open to the examination of any Shareholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access the register will be provided with the notice of the meeting.
  21. If any Director wilfully neglects or refuses to produce the Register of Shareholders at any meeting for the election of Directors, or to open such a list to examination on a reasonably accessible electronic network during any meeting for the election of Directors held solely by means of remote communication, those Directors will be ineligible for election to any office at that meeting.
  22. The Register of Shareholders will be the only evidence as to who are the Shareholders entitled by this section to examine the register required by this section or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of Shareholders.
  23. Quorum and Required Vote
  24. In all matters other than the election of Directors, any act of the Shareholders must be passed by an affirmative vote of the majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter.
  25. Directors will be elected by a majority of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of Directors.
  26. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series of shares ("Eligible Shares") is required, __________ percent of the outstanding Eligible Shares present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. Any act to be taken must be passed by an affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding Eligible Shares present in person or represented by proxy.
  27. A minimum of __________ percent of the shares entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum entitled to take action at a meeting of Shareholders.
  28. Shareholders Voting Rights and Proxies
  29. Subject to the rights and restrictions placed on individual classes of shares, each Shareholder has one vote on a show of hands, and one vote per share held on a poll.
  30. Each Shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of Shareholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorise another person or persons to act for that Shareholder by proxy, but no proxy will be valid after 11 months from the date of its execution unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
  31. Execution of a proxy may be accomplished by the Shareholder making the appointment signing, or otherwise authenticating in accordance with law, the appointment including the names and addresses of the Shareholder, the Company and the proxy, the office held by the proxy, and the meetings at which the appointment may be used.
  32. A duly executed proxy will be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the shares or an interest in the Company generally.
  33. Voting Rights of Fiduciaries, Pledgers and Joint Owners of Shares
  34. Persons holding shares in a fiduciary capacity will be entitled to vote the shares so held. Persons whose shares are pledged will be entitled to vote, unless, in the transfer by the pledger on the books of the Company, that person has expressly empowered the pledgee to vote the shares, in which case only the pledgee, or that pledgee's proxy, may represent and vote the shares.
  35. If a share is held jointly and more than one Shareholder votes in respect of that share, only the vote of the Shareholder whose name appears first in the Register of Shareholders counts.
  36. Voting Trusts and Other Voting Agreements
  37. Two or more Shareholders may, by agreement in writing, create a voting trust by depositing their shares with a voting trustee, who will have the authority to vote the shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of the voting trust agreement. To be valid, the voting trustee must deliver copies of the Register of Shareholders and the voting trust agreement to the Principal Office of the Corporation. Upon receiving the voting trust agreement, the Company will issue new share certificates in the name of the trustee and cancel the old share certificates. The new share certificates issued will state that they are issued pursuant to a voting trust agreement.
  38. Any amendment to a voting trust agreement will be made by a written agreement, a copy of which will be filed with the Principal Office of the Corporation.
  39. The right of inspection of any voting trust agreement or related amendment by a Shareholder of record or a holder of a voting trust certificate, in person or by agent, will be the same right of inspection that applies to the securities Register of the Company.
  40. An agreement between two or more Shareholders, if in writing and signed by the parties to the agreement, may provide that in exercising any voting rights, the shares held by them will be voted as provided by the agreement, or as the parties may agree, or as determined in accordance with a procedure agreed upon by them.
  41. The above provisions concerning voting trusts and voting agreements will not be deemed to invalidate any voting or other agreement among Shareholders or any irrevocable proxy which is not otherwise illegal.
  42. Cumulative Voting
  43. Shareholders may use cumulative voting elections when electing Directors.


  44. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  45. General Powers
  46. The business and affairs of the Company will be managed by or under the direction of the Board.
  47. Number, Tenure and Quorum
  48. The Board will consist of one member, who will be a natural person. Directors need not be Shareholders. The Director will hold office until that Director's successor is elected and qualified or until that Director's earlier resignation or removal. Any Director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Company. In order to transact business at a meeting of the Directors, a quorum of __________ percent of the total number of Directors eligible to vote will be required. The vote of the majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present will be the act of the Board.
  49. Meetings of Directors
  50. By resolution, the Board may provide the time and place, either within or without the State of , for the holding of regular meetings without any notice other than that resolution.
  51. Meetings of the Board may be called by or at the request of the President or by a majority of the Directors. The person or persons calling the meeting of the Board may fix any date, time or place, either within or without the State of , to be the date, time and place for holding that meeting.
  52. Notice
  53. Reasonable notice of the date, time, and place, or places, of a meeting of the Board will be given individually to every Director.
  54. If written notice is sent, correctly addressed to a Director's address as provided in the Company's current records, the notice will be deemed to have been given to that Director at the time of sending. If written notice is sent by private carrier or by Australia Post, postage prepaid and by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, the notice will be deemed to have been given to a Director on the date shown on the return receipt. Otherwise notice is effective when received by a Director.
  55. Notice of any Directors' meeting may be waived by a Director before or after the date and time of the meeting. The waiver must be in writing, must be signed by a Director, and must be delivered to the Company for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records. The attendance of a Director at a meeting of the Board will constitute a waiver of notice of that meeting except where a Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully convened.
  56. Action by Directors Without a Meeting
  57. Any action to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee of the Board may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent to it in writing, or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board, or committee. This filing will be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and will be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form. The resolution is passed when the last Director signs.
  58. Remote Communication Meetings
  59. Remote communication means any electronic communication including conference telephone, video conference, the internet, or any other method currently available or developed in the future by which Directors not present in the same physical location may simultaneously communicate with each other.
  60. A meeting of the Board may be held by any means of remote communication by which all persons authorised to vote or take other action at the meeting can hear each other during the meeting and each person has a reasonable opportunity to participate. This remote participation in a meeting will constitute presence in person at the meeting.
  61. Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships
  62. When vacancies or newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorised number of Directors occur, a majority of the Directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or a sole remaining Director will have the power to appoint new Directors to fill this vacancy or vacancies. Each new Director so chosen will hold office until the next annual general meeting of the Shareholders.
  63. If at any time, by reason of death or resignation or other cause, the Company should have no Directors in office, then any Officer or any Shareholder or an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of a Shareholder, or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of a Shareholder, may call a special meeting of Shareholders for an election to fill the vacancy.
  64. When one or more Directors resign from the Board and the resignation is to become effective at a future date, a majority of the Directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, will have the power to appoint new Directors to fill this vacancy or vacancies. The appointments of these new Directors will take effect when the resignation or resignations are to become effective, and each new Director so chosen will hold office until the next annual general meeting of the Shareholders.
  65. Removal
  66. Any Director or the entire Board may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of Directors at a meeting of the Shareholders called for that purpose. No Director may be removed when the votes cast against removal would be sufficient to elect the Director if voted cumulatively at an election where the same total number of votes were cast.
  67. Organisation of Meetings
  68. Meetings of the Board will be presided over by the Chair of the Board, or in the Chair's absence, the President, or in the absence of both the Chair and the President, by a Director chosen at the meeting. The Secretary will act as secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of the Secretary, the person presiding at the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
  69. Chair of the Board
  70. The Chair of the Board, if present, will preside at all meetings of the Board, and exercise and perform any other authorities and duties as may be from time to time delegated by the Board.
  71. Remuneration
  72. The Board will, by resolution, fix the fees and other remuneration for the Directors for their services as Directors, including their services as members of committees of the Board. All changes to Director remuneration are subject to ratification by the Shareholders.
  73. Presumption of Assent
  74. A Director of the Company who is present at a meeting of the Board will be presumed to have assented to an action taken on any corporate matter at the meeting unless:
    1. The Director objects at the beginning of the meeting, or promptly upon the Director's arrival, to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting;
    2. The Director's dissent or abstention from the action taken is entered in the minutes of the meeting; or
    3. The Director delivers written notice of the Director's dissent or abstention to the presiding officer of the meeting before the adjournment of the meeting or to the Company within a reasonable time after adjournment of the meeting.
  75. Any right to dissent or abstain from the action will not apply to a Director who voted in favour of that action.


  76. COMMITTEES

  77. Appointment
  78. The Board may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the Directors of the Company. The Board may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.
  79. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not that member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any absent or disqualified member.
  80. The committee or committees, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board will have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Company, and may authorise the seal of the Company to be affixed to all papers which may require it. No such committee will have the power or authority in reference to the following matters:
    1. Approving or adopting, or recommending to the Shareholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of Directors) expressly required by the Corporations Act 2001 to be submitted to the Shareholders for approval; or
    2. Adopting, amending or repealing this Company Constitution.
  81. Tenure
  82. Each member of a committee will serve at the pleasure of the Board.
  83. Meetings and Notice
  84. The method by which Directors' meetings may be called and the notice requirements for these meetings as set out in this Constitution will apply to any committee designated by the Board as appropriate.
  85. Quorum
  86. The requirements for a quorum for the Board as set out in this Constitution will apply to any committee designated by the Board as appropriate.
  87. Action Without a Meeting
  88. The requirements and procedures for actions without a meeting for the Board as set out in this Constitution will apply to any committee designated by the Board as appropriate.
  89. Resignation and Removal
  90. Any member of a committee may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by a resolution adopted by a majority of the full Board. Any member of a committee may resign from the committee at any time by giving written notice to the Chair of the Board of the Company, and unless otherwise specified in the notice, the acceptance of this resignation will not be necessary to make it effective.
  91. Vacancies
  92. Any vacancy in a committee may be filled by a resolution adopted by a majority of the full Board.
  93. Committee Rules of Procedure
  94. A committee will elect a presiding officer from its members and may fix its own rules of procedure provided they are not inconsistent with this Constitution. A committee will keep regular minutes of its proceedings, and report those minutes to the Board at the first subsequent meeting of the Board.


  95. OFFICERS

  96. Appointment of Officers
  97. The Officers of the Company (individually the "Officer" and collectively the "Officers") will consist of the President, the treasurer (the "Treasurer") and the Secretary.
  98. The Officers will be appointed by the Board at the first meeting of the Directors or as soon after the first meeting of the Directors as possible, if Officers have not already been appointed. Any appointee may hold one or more offices.
  99. Term of Office
  100. Each Officer will hold office until a successor is duly appointed and qualified or until the Officer's death or until the Officer resigns or is removed as provided in this Constitution.
  101. Removal
  102. Any Officer or agent appointed by the Board may be removed by the Board at any time with or without cause, provided, however, any contractual rights of that person, if any, will not be prejudiced by the removal.
  103. Vacancies
  104. The Board may fill a vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise.
  105. President
  106. Subject to the control and supervisory powers of the Board and its delegate, the powers and duties of the President will be:
    1. To have the general management and supervision, direction and control of the business and affairs of the Company;
    2. To preside at all meetings of the Shareholders when the Chair of the Board is absent;
    3. To call meetings of the Shareholders to be held at such times and at such places as the President will deem proper within the limitations prescribed by law or by this Constitution;
    4. To ensure that all orders and resolutions of the Board are effectively carried out;
    5. To maintain records of and certify, whenever necessary, all proceedings of the Board and the Shareholders;
    6. To put the signature of the Company to all deeds, conveyances, mortgages, guarantees, leases, obligations, bonds, certificates and other papers and instruments in writing which have been authorised by the Board or which, in the opinion of the President, should be executed on behalf of the shares; and, subject to the instructions of the Board, to have general charge of the property of the Company and to supervise and manage all Officers, agents and employees of the Company; and
    7. To perform all other duties and carry out other responsibilities as determined by the Board.
  107. Treasurer
  108. Subject to the control and supervisory powers of the Board and its delegate, the powers and duties of the Treasurer will be:
    1. To keep accurate financial records for the Company;
    2. To deposit all money, drafts and cheques in the name of and to the credit of the Company in the banks and depositories designated by the Board;
    3. To endorse for deposit all notes, cheques, drafts received by the Company as instructed by the Board, making proper vouchers for them;
    4. To disburse corporate funds and issue Cheques and drafts in the name of the Company, as instructed by the Board;
    5. To submit to the President and the Board, as requested, an account of all transactions by the Treasurer and the financial condition of the Company;
    6. To prepare and submit to the Board annual reports detailing the financial status of the Company; and
    7. To perform all other duties and carry out other responsibilities as prescribed by the Board or the President.
  109. Secretary
  110. The Secretary will perform the following duties:
    1. Prepare the minutes of the meetings of the Shareholders and meetings of the Board and keep those minutes in one or more books provided for that purpose;
    2. Authenticate the records of the Company as will from time to time be required;
    3. Ensure that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution or as required by law;
    4. Act as custodian of the corporate records and of the corporate seal, if any, and ensure that the seal of the Company, if any, is affixed to all documents the execution of which on behalf of the Company under its seal is duly authorised;
    5. Keep a register of the postal address and electronic address of each Shareholder;
    6. Sign, along with the President, certificates for shares of the Company, the issuance of which will have been authorised by resolution of the Board;
    7. Have general charge of the Register of Shareholders of the Company; and
    8. Perform all duties incidental to the office of Secretary and any other duties as from time to time may be delegated to the Secretary by the President or the Board.
  111. Delegation of Authority
  112. The Board reserves the authority to delegate the powers of any Officer to any other Officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision in this Constitution.


  113. LOANS, CHEQUES, DEPOSITS, CONTRACTS

  114. Loans
  115. Without authorisation by a resolution of the Board, the Company is prohibited from making or accepting loans in its name, or issuing evidences of indebtedness in its name. The authorisation of the Board for the Company to perform these acts can be general or specific.
  116. Cheques, Drafts, Notes
  117. All cheques, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Company must be signed by a designated Officer or Officers, agent or agents of the Company and in a manner as will from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board.
  118. Deposits
  119. All funds of the Company not otherwise used will be deposited to the credit of the Company in banks, trust companies, or other depositories designated by the Board.
  120. Voting Securities Held by the Company
  121. The President, or another Officer or agent designated by the Board will, with full power and authority attend, act, and vote, on behalf of the Company, at any meeting of security holders or interest holders of other corporations or entities in which the Company may hold securities or interests. At that meeting, the President or other delegated agent will have and execute any and all rights and powers incidental to the ownership of the securities or interests that the Company holds.
  122. Contracts
  123. The Board may give authority to any Officer or agent, to make any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of the Company and on its behalf, and that authority may be general or specific.
  124. Conflict of Interest by Directors
  125. A Director or Officer of the Company will be disqualified from voting as a Director or Officer on a specific matter where that Director or Officer deals or contracts with the Company either as a vendor or purchaser.
  126. A Director or Officer of the Company will not be disqualified as a Director or Officer for the sole reason that the Director or Officer deals or contracts with the Company either as a vendor, purchaser, or otherwise.
  127. Loans to Employees and Officers
  128. The Company may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist, any Officer or employee of the Company or of its subsidiary, including any Officer or employee who is a Director of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, whenever, in the opinion of the Board, the loan, guarantee or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the Company. The loan, guarantee or other assistance may be with or without interest, and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the Board will approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of the Company. Nothing contained in this section is to be construed so as to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guarantee or warranty of the Company at common law or under any applicable statute.


  • APPENDIX

    Glossary

  • Constitution - The purpose of this constitution (the "Constitution") is to provide rules governing the internal management of the Company by supplementing, and, where the context requires, replacing, the basic set of rules set out in the Replaceable Rules in the Corporations Act 2001.
  • Chair of the Board - Once a Board of Directors has been appointed or elected by the Shareholders, the Board will then elect a chair (the "Chair of the Board"). The Chair of the Board will act to moderate all meetings of the Board of Directors and any other duties and obligations as described in this Constitution.
  • Officer - A corporate officer (individually the "Officer" and collectively the "Officers") of the Company will usually be appointed to a specific task such as secretary, president, treasurer or other similar position. One person may hold several offices. The Officers will manage the day-to-day operations of the Company and report to the Board of Directors.
  • Principal Executive Office - The Principal Executive Office for the Company is where the President of the Company has an office.
  • Principal Office - The Principal Office of the Company is the address designated in the annual report where the executive offices of the Company are located.
  • Principal Place of Business - The Principal Place of Business is the address at which the Company conducts its primary business.
  • Registered Office - The Registered Office is the physical street address within the state where the registered agent can be contacted during normal business hours for service of process.
  • Register of Shareholders - A Register of Shareholders is the complete record of the owners of shares of stock in the Company.
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Document PreviewAbout this Document

Last Updated October 24, 2023

What is a Company Constitution?

A Company Constitution documents a company’s management rules. This document creates a contract between the company, its members, its directors, and the company secretary. A Company Constitution is a convenient resource for members or shareholders looking to review all internal management rules.

A Company Constitution will cover:

  • Company details and structure
  • Voting procedures
  • Shareholder rights and meetings
  • Director powers and meetings
  • Officer details

A company can adopt a Company Constitution at the time of registration or later by special resolution.

The Corporations Act 2001 contains a set of standard replaceable rules which apply by default to your company unless your constitution replaces them. LawDepot’s Company Constitution template starts with these replaceable rules and customises them according to your specifications.

Company Constitutions are also known as Corporate Bylaws.

Does a company need a constitution?

Having a Company Constitution isn't a legal requirement because the replaceable rules will automatically apply to your company if you don’t adopt a Company Constitution. However, you will need to draw up a Company Constitution to replace or amend the rules if any of the Corporations Act's default replaceable rules are not suitable for your company.

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) requires a company to either create its own Company Constitution or follow the replaceable rules in the Corporations Act 2001.

A proprietary company that is a special purpose company needs to have a constitution in the company's records. However, you don't have to log it with the government. A special purpose company is one that is created for a set purpose, rather than general business (e.g. a not-for-profit company).

How do I write a Company Constitution?

You can easily create a customised Company Constitution by completing LawDepot’s questionnaire. Using our template will ensure you complete the necessary steps.

1. Name and register your company

Start by providing your company's name and Australian Company Number (ACN). Every company needs a unique name. The ASIC website allows you to check the availability of names before you register.

"Proprietary Limited" or "Pty Ltd" must be a part of your company's name if it is a proprietary company limited by shares. A proprietary limited company is a private company with at least one shareholder and no more than 50 non-employee shareholders.

The ASIC provides every company registered under the Corporations Act 2001 with a unique nine digit number called an ACN. All public documents issued by the company must include the ACN.

2. Decide on shareholder meeting rules

What per cent of voting shares constitutes a quorum?

A quorum is the minimum number of shareholders that must be in attendance at all times for a meeting to proceed. Attendance can be in person or by proxy.

Requiring a specific percentage of shareholders to be present in a meeting ensures a minority group doesn't make important decisions on behalf of the company (e.g. 51 per cent of shareholders must be present for a simple majority or 75 per cent for a more decisive majority).

Is your company a sole member/sole director proprietary company?

A sole member company operates with a single owner rather than multiple owners, while a sole director proprietary company is a company with a single shareholder who is also the sole director.

This structure simplifies the internal decision making of the company. Because there is only one decision-maker, no shareholder or director meetings are needed. Therefore, the replaceable rules are not suitable and do not apply to such companies.

LawDepot’s Company Constitution template is designed specifically for sole member/sole director Australian companies.

Is remote communication permitted as a form of attendance?

There may be instances where it’s more practical for a shareholder to attend a meeting through remote communication. A shareholder can attend a meeting through phone or video conference if your Company Constitution allows remote communication.

Can shareholders form voting trusts?

A voting trust is a legal trust that combines shareholders' voting power by temporarily transferring their shares to a third party (the trustee). The third party is usually obligated to vote in accord with the desires of the participating shareholders.

Voting trusts are useful when a company has minority shareholders who have limited interest or voting strength in the business. They can also help resolve conflicts of interest, retain majority control, and prevent hostile takeovers.

Is cumulative voting allowed when electing directors?

Cumulative voting allows a minority shareholder to take all the votes they'd typically use in multiple directors' elections and apply them all to a single director's election.

For example, suppose a company holds five elections for five potential directors, and a minority shareholder has two votes in each election (ten total votes). In that case, cumulative voting allows the shareholder to apply their combined ten votes to a single director's election.

Cumulative voting can prevent a majority shareholder from choosing all the directors of a company.

3. Create rules for director meetings

A Company Constitution should establish how much notice is necessary to call a directors’ meeting. LawDepot’s Company Constitution template allows you to choose:

  • Reasonable notice
  • A number of hours
  • A number of days

What qualifies as reasonable notice is up for interpretation and depends on the established business practices within the company. Select a different option if you prefer a more definitive notice for directors’ meetings.

Your company may find it appropriate to stop a director from voting on issues where there is a potential conflict of interest. A conflict of interest occurs when a director’s personal interests clash with the interests of the company. This is a problem because a director has a responsibility to act in the best interests of the company.

Additional factors to consider include:

  • How many directors will your company have?
  • Can the company lend money to officers, directors, or employees?
  • What per cent of directors need to be present for a meeting to proceed?
  • Will remote communication be permitted?

4. Choose an officer structure

State in your Company Constitution whether directors, incorporators, or shareholders will appoint officers.

There are two types of officer structures your company can choose: simple or complex. A simple officer structure consists of a president, a treasurer, and a secretary. A complex officer structure might consist of a CEO, COO, CFO, president and a number of vice-presidents.

How do I get a copy of a Company Constitution?

A company must provide a current copy of the Company Constitution within seven days to any member who requests it. The seven day period begins after the company receives payment, if there's a fee for obtaining the document.

How to amend a company constitution?

A company can make changes to its constitution by passing a special resolution. A vote of 75 per cent of voting shares in favour of the amendment is necessary for a resolution to pass.

A special resolution needs a minimum of 28 days’ notice for publicly listed companies, while any other company needs at least 21 days’ notice.

Related Documents:

  • Business Plan: Outline a company's challenges and opportunities, as well as its marketing, financial, and management plans.
  • Directors' Resolution: Record minutes at a directors' meeting or document decisions or actions in lieu of a corporate meeting.
  • Purchase of Business Agreement: A written contract used when an individual or business wishes to purchase all the shares or assets from a business.
  • Shareholder Agreement: Create an agreement among a company's shareholders that describes how a company operates and outlines shareholders' rights and obligations.
  • Share Purchase Agreement: Create a contract for the sale of stock or shares between an existing shareholder of a corporation and another individual or corporation.
Create your free Company Constitution in 5-10 minutes or less
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Your use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Disclaimer, Privacy Policy and Editorial Policy. LawDepot® is not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice. We provide information and software and you are responsible for appropriately using this material. ©2002-2023 LawDepot® (Sequiter Inc.). All Rights Reserved.

Your use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Disclaimer, Privacy Policy and Editorial Policy. LawDepot® is not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice. We provide information and software and you are responsible for appropriately using this material. ©2002-2023 LawDepot® (Sequiter Inc.). All Rights Reserved.

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LawDepot TM BBB Business Review

©2002-2023 LawDepot® (Sequiter Inc.). All Rights Reserved. LawDepot® is not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice.

Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use and Editorial Policy.

©2002-2023 LawDepot® (Sequiter Inc.). All Rights Reserved. LawDepot® is not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice.

Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use and Editorial Policy.

Your use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Disclaimer, Privacy Policy and Editorial Policy. LawDepot® is not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice.
©2002-2023 LawDepot® (Sequiter Inc.). All Rights Reserved.

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