Club managers hold an important role in the governance and management of clubs. Managing a club's assets requires both experience and training.

A training framework for club managers ensures that office bearers are aware of their fiduciary and governance responsibilities, and are able to make commercial decisions that enhance the long term viability of their club. Clubs must make information about their office bearers' compliance with the training required under the Registered Clubs Regulation 2015, and any exemptions claimed, available to their members.

Club manager training

Club managers need to:

1. complete the mandatory Board Governance & Secretary Manager course within two years of their appointment. 
   T: 02 9746 4199 E: training@cmaa.asn.au

   Additionally a Club Manager should hold:

2. a current Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate
3. a current Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) certificate, if the club operates gaming machines.

Find out more: RSA and RCG training

Exemptions

Exemptions to completing the mandatory course may apply to Club Managers who have:

• held a manager position in a NSW registered club for three out of the last five years, from the date they were approved to be a manager of a registered club by the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority, or
• been appointed as a club manager in an honorary capacity and is also a director of a club.

Exemptions also apply if a person has completed any of the following qualifications within the last five years:

• Club Managers' Association Australia and Southern Cross University Corporate Governance Program.
• Club Managers' Association Australia and Southern Cross University Corporate Governance Zone Summits.
• Governance Institute of Australia (Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators) Certificate in Governance for Not-for-Profits, or the following individual units undertaken jointly: (i) Not-For-Profit Officers, Directors, and the Board, (ii) Meetings, Minutes and Resolutions, (iii) Governance Essentials, and (iv) The Accidental Company Secretary.

Club directors hold an important role in the governance and management of clubs. Managing a club's assets requires both experience and training.

A training framework for club directors ensures that office bearers are aware of their fiduciary and governance responsibilities, and are able to make commercial decisions that enhance the long term viability of their club. Clubs must make information about their office bearers’ compliance with the training required under the Registered Clubs Regulation 2015, and any exemptions claimed, available to their members.

Club director training

The ClubsNSW mandatory director training program consists of two courses, and provides the information directors need to fulfil corporate governance training compliance.

1. Director Foundation & Management Collaboration (DFMC)
2. Finance for Club Boards (FFCB).

Find out more: course details

T: 02  9268 3000 | E: education@clubsnsw.com.au

Alternatively, club directors can complete training aligned to the units of competency:

• BSBGOV401A - Implement Board member responsibilities
• BSBGOV402A - Work within organisational structure, and
• BSBGOV403A - Analyse finance reports and budgets.

These director training course are conducted by some registered training organisations, including the Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club's School of Hospitality.

Exemptions, recognition and credit transfers

Exemptions for either or both of the above course may apply to club directors who have previously:

• been a director at an NSW registered club from 1 July 2010 until 30 June 2013
• been a manager or executive officer of another Australian public company, or a director or in an executive role in a charitable fundraising organisation, from 1 July 2010 until 30 June 2013.

Exemptions may also apply if a person has completed any of the approved courses in the following table between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2013.

Recognition of prior learning, and credit transfers, can be obtained through ClubsNSW or a registered training organisation.

Small clubs and large clubs 

• Small clubs, with less than $1 million gaming profit, need only two directors trained or deemed exempt from training.
• Large clubs, with more than $1 million gaming profit, need to have all directors trained or deemed exempt from training.

Club director previous ineligibility disclosure

Anyone standing for election or who is appointed to be a club director must disclose any previous period of ineligibility to be a club director or secretary as a result of disciplinary action against them by the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority that has since expired.

The person standing or appointed needs to disclose:

• during the nomination period as defined in clause 31A of the Registered Clubs Regulation 2015 to the club secretary, manager or returning officer (at least seven days before standing for election)
• within seven days of being appointed, if the club board did not request this information prior to appointment, or within seven days of the request being made by the club board.

Clubs need to notify their members about any such disclosures made by displaying a notice on the club premises and website, if they have one:

• at least seven days before nominees stand for election
• within 21 days of appointment being made, along with reasons for the appointment.

Limit to board numbers

From 1 January 2017, all club boards must not exceed nine members.

Board appointed directors

Clubs have the option of appointing directors who hold high level skills or business experience. This provides certainty for clubs that direct appointments can be made, subject to a club's constitution being amended.

Club boards may directly appoint up to two directors with the following requirements:

• the term of appointment is no longer than three years
• the person must be a full member of the club
• within 21 days of being appointed the Board must notify members by placing a notice on its noticeboard and website of the reasons for the appointment. This must include the person's relevant skills and qualifications, any proposed payment for fulfilling their role, and any previous period of ineligibility to be a club director or secretary.

Club director previous ineligibility disclosure

Anyone standing for election or who is appointed to be a club director must disclose any previous period of ineligibility to be a club director or secretary as a result of disciplinary action against them by the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority that has since expired.

Club boards may request that potential appointees disclose any previous period of ineligibility. The appointee must disclose this information within seven days of request, or within seven days of being appointed if not requested by club board.