The Corporations Act is the principal law governing the regulation and operation of corporations registered in Australia and foreign corporate entities operating in Australia.
The Act is divided into various Chapters covering different aspects of a corporation’s ‘life’ from establishment through to de-registration.
These Chapters are summarised under the following headings:
| Topic | Chapter | No. | Chapter Heading |
| CORPORATIONS LAW OVERVIEW | 1 | Introduction | |
| 9 | Miscellaneous | ||
| ESTABLISHING A COMPANY | 2A | Registering a Company | |
| 2B | Basic Features of a Company | ||
| 2N | Updating ASIC Information | ||
| 2P | Lodgements with ASIC | ||
| 5B | Bodies Corporate – Registered & | ||
| Registrable | |||
| REGISTERS | 2C | Registers | |
| OFFICERS | 2D | Officers & Employees | |
| RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS | 2E | Related Party Transactions | |
| MEETINGS & MEMBERS | 2G | Meetings | |
| SHARES & SHARE CAPITAL | 2F | Members’ Rights & Remedies | |
| 2H | Shares | ||
| 2J | Transactions Affecting Share Capital | ||
| CHARGES & DEBENTURES | 2K | Charges | |
| 2L | Debentures | ||
| FINANCIAL REPORTING & AUDIT | 2M | Financial Reports & Audit |
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| INSOLVENCY & DE-REGISTRATION | 5 | External Administration |
| 5A | De-registration & Transfer of | |
| Registration | ||
| MANAGED INVESTMENT SCHEMES | 5C | Managed Investment Schemes |
| TAKEOVERS | 6 | Takeovers |
| 6A | Compulsory Acquisition & Buy-outs | |
| 6B | Rights & Liabilities | |
| 6C | Information About Ownership | |
| CONTINUOUS DISCLOSURE | 6CA | Continuous Disclosure |
| FUNDRAISING | 6D | Fundraising |
| 7 | Financial Services & Markets | |
| 8 | Mutual Recognition of Securities | |
| Offers |
In addition to the Act there are also Corporations Regulations which expand on and aid the implementation of various operational aspects of the Act.
*Originally written by Company Secretary, an Australian virtual company secretary service.
