Governance

Standards Australia Limited was incorporated on 1 July 1999, having been formed from the Standards Association of Australia, a body incorporated by Royal Charter in 1950 that had initially commenced operations in 1922.

The Commonwealth Government recognises Standards Australia as Australia's peak non-government national standards body.

A copy of our Constitution and Memorandum of Understanding with the Commonwealth Government are available at the following links:
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• Standards Australia’s Constitution (PDF)
• Standards Australia's Memorandum of Understanding (PDF)

Standards Australia’s Members are drawn from bodies and organisations involved in the development and use of standards; and have an interest in the outcomes of Standards Australia’s activities generally.

Applications to become a Member of Standards Australia are welcomed from Government Agencies or Departments and organisations with registered ABNs in Australia, including not-for-profit organisations; professional associations; member associations; universities;  peak bodies; and/or industry associations.

Applications are reviewed for eligibility by the Board’s Membership Committee prior to being submitted to the Board for consideration.

To be eligible for Membership, an applicant must provide the information set out in Standards Australia’s Membership Application form, and in the view of the Board, be able to make a positive contribution to the Company having regard to one or more of the following factors:

• the applicant has a demonstrated capacity to make a positive contribution to the Company;
• the applicant has a demonstrated capacity to use its influence to support the Company;
• the applicant has demonstrated breadth of focus (which does not conflict with the objects of the company);
• the applicant has a demonstrated standing in the community; and/or
• the applicant has made a demonstrated contribution to standards development.

Enquiries regarding how to apply to become a Member and requests for a Membership Application form are welcomed by Standards Australia and should be directed to our Member Engagement Manager.

As Australia's peak Standards body, the Board places a high priority on corporate governance.

The governing body of our organisation, the Board provides oversight within the framework of relevant legislation (including the Corporations Act and Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act), the Constitution and the Board Charter.

• Standards Australia's Board Charter (PDF)
  

Other Board responsibilities include setting and reviewing the company’s strategic direction, monitoring organisational performance, the appointment of the CEO and deciding on key policy positions.

The Board currently comprises 6 Directors elected by Members and 1 Director appointed by the Board.

The Standards Australia Board of Directors invites suitable candidates to apply for three (3) Member-Elected Director positions. At the November 2025 Annual General Meeting, three Directors will have concluded their current terms: - Marlene Kanga AO, Ian Oppermann and Ken Slattery.

Accordingly, nominations are hereby called for three Member-Elected Director positions.

Marlene Kanga AO and Ian Oppermann are eligible to stand for re-election for a third and final term of three years and have indicated that they intend to submit a nomination.

Ken Slattery is eligible to stand for re-election for a further two terms and has indicated that he intends to submit a nomination.

The Call for Nominations closes at 5:00 p.m. AEST Tuesday 7 October 2025.

Information regarding the election process and how to nominate are available at the links below.
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• Notice: Election of Directors (PDF)
  
• Guidelines and other information for Director nominations (PDF)
  
• Nomination for Election as a Director of Standards Australia (PDF)
  

Queries regarding the election and nomination process should be directed to our Company Secretary, companysecretary@standards.org.au.
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At the EGM held on 26 March 2021, the Members of Standards Australia agreed to adopt a new Constitution. As a result, the Board of Standards Australia established a Membership Committee which is responsible for providing recommendations to the Board regarding applications for membership of the Company and the continued eligibility of Members of the Company.

There is currently one (1) vacant position on the Membership Committee.

Accordingly, nominations are hereby called for the one vacant position.

Membership Committee members elected by Members in 2025 shall be elected for a period one year so that future elections and terms of office align with the Board of Directors and Member elected Committee members on the Standards Development & Accreditation Committee. A person elected to a Member Position on the Membership Committee during the 2025 election is eligible to serve on the Member Committee for a maximum of nine (9) years and may only be re-elected after that term by a Special Resolution of the Members.

The Call for Nominations closes at 5:00 p.m. AEST Tuesday 7 October 2025.

Information regarding the election process and how to nominate are available at the links below.
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• Notice: Call for Nominations for the position of Membership Committee Member (PDF)
  
• Nomination for Election as a Member of the Membership Committee of Standards Australia (PDF)
  

Queries regarding the election and nomination process should be directed to our Company Secretary, companysecretary@standards.org.au.
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Following the adoption by Members of a new Constitution at the EGM held on 26 March 2021, the Board approved and adopted a new Charter for the Standards Development and Accreditation Committee (SDAC).

Annette Hoskin was elected for a second term by Members in 2022 based on having substantial and relevant skills, knowledge and experience in Australian industry and economic activity and standards development.

Ms Hoskin’s second term as a member of SDAC concludes in November 2025.

Accordingly, nominations are hereby called for the position of one SDAC member who has substantial and relevant skills, knowledge and experience in Australian industry and economic activity and standards development.

The Call for Nominations closes at 5:00 p.m. AEST Tuesday 7 October 2025.

Information regarding the election process and how to nominate are available at the links below.
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• Notice: Election of a member of SDAC and Guidelines (PDF)
  
• Nomination for Election as a Member of SDAC (PDF)
  

Queries regarding the election and nomination process should be directed to our Company Secretary, companysecretary@standards.org.au.
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Four Committees assist the Board in exercising its responsibilities and provide it with recommendations and advice. These Committees are the:
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• Finance, Investment & Audit Committee (Charter, PDF)
  
• Membership Committee (Charter, PDF)
  
• People Governance & Risk (Charter, PDF)
  
• Standards Development & Accreditation Committee (SDAC) (Charter, PDF)
  

The Membership Committee and SDAC are the only Board Committees that comprise Directors and external members. SDAC external members are elected by Members of Standards Australia or appointed by the Board. Membership Committee external members are Member representatives elected by Members of Standards Australia. View our Election and Ballot By-Laws (PDF).

In keeping with good governance principles, Members of the Board and its Committees are expected to:
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• maintain impartiality, act in good faith and in the best interests of the organisation.
  
• comply with our Disclosure of Interests Policy (PDF) and disclose any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest as they arise and treat any information obtained as a Committee Member as confidential information.
  
• refrain from using any information received for the benefit of themselves or any other person or entity they are connected to.
  

Information regarding Standards Australia's technical governance and standards development process can be found on our Standardisation Guides page.

View Standards Australia's Nominating Organisation Responsibilities and Code of Conduct (PDF).