Control Register: the missing document

A control register is a simple way to know who can do what, and when — across your companies, trusts and SMSFs. It reduces standstills, prevents “control drift”, and makes succession practical (not theoretical).

What is a control register?

A living one-pager that shows who can do what — and what happens if they can’t act.

What it includes

  • Companies: directors, shareholders, who can appoint/remove directors.
  • Trusts: trustee, appointor, protector/guardian (if any), successor pathway.
  • SMSFs: trustees/directors, members, nomination status, control on death/incapacity.
  • Banking: signing authorities and where mandates/records are stored.

What it prevents

  • Payroll/banking standstills when a key person is unavailable.
  • Trust disputes caused by role confusion.
  • Delays hunting deeds, constitutions, minutes and bank paperwork.
  • Accidental control transfers after death/incapacity.
It’s boring — and that’s the point. It removes guesswork when things get stressful.

Why most people don’t have one

Because control is fragmented across documents and people assume “everyone knows”. They don’t.

Control is scattered

Deeds, constitutions, ASIC records, minutes, bank mandates, estate documents.

People rely on memory

Works until death, incapacity, separation, or conflict.

Changes don’t flow through

Something updates (director, trustee, deed) but nobody updates the “whole picture”.

Tell it like it is: if your control plan lives in someone’s head, you don’t have a plan.

What good looks like

Simple, current, and referenced to source documents (not a 40-page file).

Core sections

  • Entity list and purpose (company/trust/SMSF).
  • Control roles (director/trustee/appointor/protector) + successors.
  • Decision rights (who can sign, who can appoint/remove).
  • Document locations (deed, constitution, minutes, bank mandate).

Maintenance rule

  • Update immediately when something changes.
  • Review at least annually.
  • Keep it accessible to the right people (not buried in email).

Old registers create false confidence. Current registers reduce risk.

If you can’t explain control in under two minutes, you probably need a control register.

Case studies (good and bad)

Same complexity. One had clarity. One had a scramble.
Avoid thisBad case: “Nobody could confirm authority”

A family had a company, a trust and an SMSF. The key person controlled everything informally. When they became unavailable, nobody could quickly confirm the appointor, director appointment rights, or bank authorities.

Outcome: delays, avoidable cost, higher dispute risk.

Best practiceGood case: “One page saved weeks”

The family maintained a control register listing current roles, successor steps, and document locations. When the key person became unavailable, decisions were implemented quickly without guessing.

Outcome: continuity, less stress, lower cost.

Quick checklist

If you tick “no” often, a register will materially reduce risk.

If you’d like to discuss any of the above further, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.

General information only. Control settings depend on your legal documents and circumstances. Obtain legal advice before changing roles.