Notifications of change

		When to lodge a notification of change (NOC) You must tell the Commission within 35 days if any of the following records change: the name of the organisation the list of offices in the organisation or in a branch of the organisation the name, postal address or occupation of an office-holder when office-holders take up or leave office the name of a branch of the organisation the opening or closing of a branch of the organisation the address of the office of the organisation or of a branch if an election for an office of the organisation or branch is required or is no longer required under your rules during a calendar year (for example because your rules changed). Read more about the requirements in the notification of changes fact sheet. Penalties may apply for registered organisations that fail to lodge a NOC within 35 days of the date the change took effect. Read a case summary where an organisation was penalised by the Court for failing to keep accurate records and notify changes (ROC v CEPU).
		Getting the details right Registered organisations are encouraged to use the template to lodge a NOC. Most organisations use the template and they say it helps them with compliance. A NOC must clearly identify any changes that have been made to the organisation’s records. The template helps organisations include the following information: a signed declaration that the information lodged is a correct statement of the changes made to the records the date the change occurred for changes to office-holders: the name of the office the name of each new or former office-holder the postal address of each new office-holder (we recommend that a professional address, such as the organisation or branch’s address, is kept on the organisation’s records for each of its office-holders) the occupation of each new office-holder the street address must be included for new branches. The NOC must be signed by the Secretary or another office-holder whose duties under the rules of the organisation or branch include lodging information. NOCs are lodged by email to regorgs@fwc.gov.au. Read through some practical examples of NOCs in the Notifications of Change e-learning module.
		Finding information about your organisation NOCs are published on the this website, on the entry of the registered organisation they belong to. NOCs are published in the same document as the organisation’s annual return. These combined lodgements help to inform members of registered organisations about their organisation. Email your NOC questions to regorgs@fwc.gov.au
		Your turn! Practice what you’ve learnt Question 1: On the move Scenario The lease of an organisation’s office at 12 Orange St Carlton ends on 30 April. On the following day the registered organisation moves to a new office at 10 Lemon St North Melbourne. *Question: What does the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009* require the organisation to do? Within 35 days of changing address (by 5 June) the organisation must update its records and lodge a NOC with the Commission advising of the new address. Question 2: So long, farewell Scenario On 1 July the President of a registered organisation announces that they intend to resign from office in a few months’ time. The resignation takes effect from 30 September, and under the rules of the organisation a new President is appointed (effective 1 October). Question: When must the organisation lodge a NOC with the Commission? The organisation must wait until the President has resigned to update its records and lodge the NOC. As the resignation and appointment has taken effect within 35 days of each other, one NOC lodgement can advise of both the departure of the President and appointment of the new office-holder. This must be lodged by 5 November. Question: Let’s change the facts! If the President’s resignation takes effect on 30 September and a new President is appointed on 1 December what does the organisation need to do to comply with the NOC requirements? This requires two separate NOC lodgements to meet the 35 day timeframe for both changes. The organisation must update its records and lodge a NOC about the President’s departure by 4 November. Within 35 days of the appointment of the new President, a second NOC will also need to be lodged (by 5 January). Question: The bigger picture. On 30 September, the closure of an organisation’s branch takes effect. What changes should the organisation notify the Commission about?** By 4 November the organisation must notify the Commission of the branch’s closure. If the closure results in the removal of offices and office holders, they will also need to be notified within 35 days. This can be done in the same lodgement.