Set membership rules that match how your organisation actually runs

This often comes up when an organisation is setting up a membership model for the first time, updating old rules that no longer reflect current practice, or dealing with recurring confusion about who can vote, attend meetings or stand for office. It is also common where there are multiple member classes, changing governance arrangements, or uncertainty around suspensions and removals. A broader rules service is useful where the membership document needs to work alongside your constitution, committee or board processes, and the way your organisation actually deals with members day to day.

Membership rules commonly deal with eligibility, application and approval processes, member categories, fees, rights attached to each class, meeting notice requirements, quorum, voting thresholds, resignations, disciplinary steps and access to records. Some organisations also need clear wording around nominations, elections and when membership can end. If member communications or records involve personal information, the legal position can also depend on how your organisation collects, uses and shares that information in practice. That can affect how some clauses should be framed and how the rules operate alongside your other documents.

Yes. In many matters, an existing constitution, rule book or set of member procedures is a useful starting point because it shows how the organisation has been operating and where the current gaps sit. We can review those materials and use them to shape updated membership rules that are clearer and more workable. If the old wording conflicts with your current structure, voting model or governance approach, we can flag that and suggest a better drafting path. The aim is not to preserve outdated clauses for their own sake, but to produce rules your organisation can actually use.

A template may help you see common headings, but membership arrangements vary a lot between not-for-profits. One organisation may have supporters and voting members, another may need committee election rules, and another may need a fair process for discipline or removal. Generic wording can create practical problems if it does not match your entity type, your decision-making structure or the way members interact with the organisation. This service is better suited where the rules need to reflect real governance choices, not just fill a blank space in your documents folder.

Once the drafting is settled, the next step is usually to adopt the rules through the process required by your existing governing documents or internal procedures. That may involve board or committee approval, a member resolution, updating application forms, changing meeting procedures or revising member communications. We can explain the practical follow-up points that commonly arise after finalisation so the rules are not left sitting unused. If you need further help with implementation work beyond the agreed drafting scope, that can be arranged as separate work.

As an online law firm, we eliminate the headaches of paying us by the hour and finding time to meet with a lawyer in person. We charge a fixed fee, with upfront quotes and transparent pricing, and communicate via phone, email and video chat - whichever suits you! You'll be guided through our process by our expert lawyers, who are Australian-qualified and specialise in technology, intellectual property, contract drafting, corporate and commercial law.

At Sprintlaw, our pricing is transparent and designed for startups and small businesses. Many one-off legal services, including document drafting and reviews, are provided for a fixed fee with an upfront quote before you proceed.

Prices typically range from $250 to $2,500 AUD depending on the complexity and scope of the work. For ongoing support, Sprintlaw Memberships include options such as legal templates, consultations, a legal helpline and credits for services.

If your project is larger or more complex, we will provide a tailored quote after understanding what you need.

Our law firm operates completely online, which means we can help you wherever you are in Australia. We work at The Commons Central - a cool co-working space in Chippendale, Sydney - but our lawyers often work flexibly across various locations.

Our lawyers also work from co-working spaces and home offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, so clients can get help online without needing to meet in person.