Corporations Act 2001

CHAPTER 5D - LICENSED TRUSTEE COMPANIES  

PART 5D.3 - REGULATION OF FEES CHARGED BY LICENSED TRUSTEE COMPANIES  

Division 1 - Disclosure of fees  

SECTION 601TAA  

601TAA   SCHEDULE OF FEES TO BE PUBLISHED AND AVAILABLE  


A licensed trustee company must ensure that an up-to-date schedule of the fees that it generally charges for the provision of traditional trustee company services:


(a) is made available to the public at all times on a website maintained by or on behalf of the trustee company; and


(b) is made available to the public free of charge at offices of the trustee company during the usual opening hours of those offices.

Note 1: The schedule is of fees generally charged, and does not include fees that are agreed to etc. as mentioned in section 601TBB .

Note 2: Failure to comply with this section is an offence (see subsection 1311(1) ).

SECTION 601TAB   DISCLOSURE TO CLIENTS OF CHANGED FEES  

601TAB(1)   [ Where fees changed]  

If, while a licensed trustee company continues to provide a particular traditional trustee company service to a client or clients, the trustee company changes the fees that it will charge for the provision of the service, the trustee company must, within 21 days of the change of fees taking effect, comply with paragraph (a) or (b) in relation to the client or each client:


(a) if the client has requested to be sent copies of changed fees - send the client a copy of the changed fees in accordance with subsection (2); or


(b) in any other case - directly notify the client, in writing, that the changed fees are available on the internet on a specified website maintained by or on behalf of the trustee company.

Note 1: Initial disclosure to a client of the fees that a trustee company will charge for the provision of a trustee company service will generally occur through the provision to the client of a Financial Services Guide under Part 7.7 . However, this section is not limited just to situations where there has been an initial disclosure through a Financial Services Guide.

Note 1A: Other provisions in this Part and in the regulations limit the ability of licensed trustee companies to increase fees.

Note 2: Failure to comply with this subsection is an offence (see subsection 1311(1) ).

601TAB(2)   [ Format of changed fees sent]  

A copy of changed fees that is sent to a client under paragraph (1)(a) must be:


(a) an electronic copy, if that is what the client has requested; or


(b) a hard copy, in any other case.

601TAB(3)   [ Client under a legal disability]  

If a client to whom a traditional trustee company service is provided is under a legal disability, the following provisions have effect:


(a) a copy of changed fees required by paragraph (1)(a), or a notice required by paragraph (1)(b), must instead be given to an agent of the client;


(b) a request referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (2)(a) may instead be made by an agent of the client.

Division 2 - General provisions about charging fees  

SECTION 601TBA   CHARGING OF FEES FOR THE PROVISION OF TRADITIONAL TRUSTEE COMPANY SERVICES  

601TBA(1)   [ Licensed trustee company may charge fees]  

Subject to this Part, a licensed trustee company may charge fees for the provision of traditional trustee company services.

601TBA(2)   [ Limit on fees]  

If a provision of this Part limits the fees that a licensed trustee company may charge for the provision of a particular traditional trustee company service, the trustee company must not charge fees for that service in excess of that limit.

Note 1: Failure to comply with this subsection is an offence (see subsection 1311(1) ).

Note 2: Excess fees may also be recovered under section 601XAA .

SECTION 601TBB   PART DOES NOT PREVENT CHARGING OF FEES AS AGREED ETC.  

601TBB(1)   [ Limit of this Part]  

Nothing in this Part prevents a licensed trustee company from charging:


(a) any fees that a testator, in his or her will, has directed to be paid; or


(b) any fees that have been agreed on in accordance with subsection (2).

601TBB(2)   [ Parties to fee agreement]  

An agreement referred to in paragraph (1)(b) that relates to the fees that may be charged by a licensed trustee company for the provision of a particular traditional trustee company service must be between the trustee company and:


(a) subject to paragraph (b) of this subsection - a person or persons who have authority to deal with the trustee company on matters relating to the provision of the service; or


(b) if the regulations prescribe the person or persons with whom the agreement must be made - that person or those persons.

SECTION 601TBC 

601TBC   PART DOES NOT PREVENT CHARGING FEE FOR PROVISION OF ACCOUNT  


Nothing in the Part prevents a licensed trustee company from charging a fee permitted by subsection 601SBB(3) for the provision of an account.

SECTION 601TBD  

601TBD   PART DOES NOT PREVENT REIMBURSEMENT  


Nothing in this Part prevents the reimbursement to a licensed trustee company of all disbursements properly made by the trustee company in the provision of a traditional trustee company service.

SECTION 601TBE   ESTATE MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS: PAYMENT OF FEES OUT OF ESTATE  

601TBE(1)   [ Application]  

This section applies to the performance by a licensed trustee company of an estate management function relating to a particular estate.

601TBE(2)   [ Fees payable out of capital or income of estate]  

Subject to subsection (3), fees charged by the trustee company, in accordance with this Part, for the performance of the function are payable to the trustee company out of the capital or income of the relevant estate.

601TBE(3)   [ Exceptions]  

Unless ASIC approves it under subsection (4):


(a) a management fee referred to in section 601TDD can only come out of the income of the relevant estate; and


(b) a common fund administration fee referred to in section 601TDE or 601TDI can only come out of the income received by the common fund on the assets of the charitable trust concerned that are included in the fund.

601TBE(4)    


ASIC may, on application in writing by a licensed trustee company, approve payment of a proposed fee that, if paid without the approval, would contravene subsection (3), if ASIC is satisfied that:


(a) the payment of the fee will not significantly affect the capital of the relevant estate or charitable trust concerned; and


(b) the fee is a fair reflection of the work and expertise required to perform the estate management function.

Division 3 - Fees otherwise than for being trustee or manager of a charitable trust  

SECTION 601TCA   FEES OTHERWISE THAN FOR BEING THE TRUSTEE OR MANAGER OF A CHARITABLE TRUST  

601TCA(1)   [ Application]  

This section applies to a particular provision of a traditional trustee company service by a licensed trustee company, unless:


(a) the service consists of being the trustee or manager of a charitable trust (see Division 4 ); or


(b) the provision of the service started before the commencement of this section.

601TCA(2)   [ Fees charged]  

The trustee company must not charge fees that are in excess of its schedule of fees that was most recently published as required by section 601TAA before the trustee company started to provide the service.

601TCA(3)   [ Div 2 not limited]  

This section does not limit anything in Division 2 .

SECTION 601TCB  

601TCB   ADDITIONAL AMOUNT FOR PREPARATION OF RETURNS ETC.  


A licensed trustee company may charge a reasonable fee for work involved in the preparation and lodging of returns for the purpose of, or in connection with, assessments of any duties or taxes (other than probate, death, succession or estate duties) related to an estate that is administered or managed by the trustee company.

Division 4 - Fees for being trustee or manager of a charitable trust  

Subdivision A - New client charitable trusts  

SECTION 601TDA  

601TDA   SUBDIVISION APPLIES TO NEW CLIENT CHARITABLE TRUSTS  


This Subdivision applies to a particular provision of a traditional trustee company service by a licensed trustee company if:


(a) the service consists of being the trustee or manager of a charitable trust; and


(b) the provision of the service started on or after the commencement of this section.

SECTION 601TDB   WHAT THE TRUSTEE COMPANY MAY CHARGE  

601TDB(1)   [ Charges limited]  

For the provision of the service, the trustee company must only charge:


(a) either:


(i) a capital commission, and an income commission, as provided for in section 601TDC ; or

(ii) a management fee as provided for in section 601TDD ; and


(b) if applicable, common fund administration fees under section 601TDE ; and


(c) if applicable, fees permitted by section 601TDF in respect of the preparation of returns etc.

601TDB(2)   [ Div 2 not limited]  

This section does not limit anything in Division 2 .

SECTION 601TDC   OPTION 1: CAPITAL COMMISSION AND INCOME COMMISSION  

601TDC(1)   One-off capital commission.  

The trustee company may charge a capital commission (GST inclusive) at a rate not exceeding 5.5 % of the gross value of the charitable trust's assets.

601TDC(2)   [ Commission to be charged once only]  

The capital commission must be charged only once during the period while the trustee company is trustee or manager of the charitable trust.

601TDC(3)   [ Regulations relating to capital commission]  

The regulations may make provision relating to the capital commission, including (but not limited to):


(a) the calculation of the commission or of the gross value of the charitable trust's assets; and


(b) when, during the period referred to in subsection (2), the commission may be charged.

601TDC(4)   Annual income commission.  

The trustee company may charge an annual income commission (GST inclusive) at a rate not exceeding 6.6 % of the income received on account of the charitable trust's assets.

601TDC(5)   [ Regulations relating to income commission]  

The regulations may make provision relating to the income commission, including (but not limited to):


(a) the calculation of the commission or of the income received on the charitable trust's assets; and


(b) when, during a year, the commission may be charged; and


(c) apportionment of the amount of the commission for part-years.

SECTION 601TDD   OPTION 2: ANNUAL MANAGEMENT FEE  

601TDD(1)   [ Rate of annual management fee]  

Instead of a capital commission and income commission under section 601TDC , the trustee company may charge an annual management fee (GST inclusive) at a rate not exceeding 1.056 % of the gross value of the charitable trust's assets.

601TDD(2)   [ Regulations]  

The regulations may make provision relating to the management fee, including (but not limited to):


(a) the calculation of the management fee or of the gross value of the charitable trust's assets; and


(b) when, during a year, the management fee may be charged; and


(c) apportionment of the amount of the management fee for part-years.

SECTION 601TDE   ADDITIONAL AMOUNT IF TRUST MONEY IS IN A COMMON FUND  

601TDE(1)   [ Common fund administration fee]  

If any of the charitable trust's assets are included in a common fund operated by the trustee company, the trustee company may charge an annual common fund administration fee (GST inclusive) not exceeding 1.1 % of the gross value of the charitable trust's assets in the fund.

601TDE(2)   [ Regulations]  

The regulations may make provision relating to the common fund administration fee, including (but not limited to):


(a) the calculation of the common fund administration fee or of the gross value of the charitable trust's assets in the fund; and


(b) when, during a year, the common fund administration fee may be charged; and


(c) the apportionment of the common fund administration fee for part-years.

SECTION 601TDF  

601TDF   ADDITIONAL AMOUNT FOR PREPARATION OF RETURNS ETC.  


The trustee company may charge a reasonable fee for work involved in the preparation and lodging of returns for the purpose of, or in connection with, assessments of any duties or taxes (other than probate, death, succession or estate duties) related to the trust estate of the charitable trust.

Subdivision B - Existing client charitable trusts  

SECTION 601TDG  

601TDG   SUBDIVISION APPLIES TO EXISTING CLIENT CHARITABLE TRUSTS  


This Subdivision applies to a particular provision of a traditional trustee company service by a licensed trustee company if:


(a) the service consists of being the trustee or manager of a charitable trust; and


(b) the provision of the service started before the commencement of this section.

SECTION 601TDH  

601TDH   TRUSTEE COMPANY NOT TO CHARGE MORE THAN WAS BEING CHARGED BEFORE SECTION COMMENCED  


Subject to section 601TDI and 601TDJ , the trustee company must not charge fees in excess of the fees than it could have charged in relation to the charitable trust immediately before the commencement of this section.

SECTION 601TDI   ADDITIONAL AMOUNT IF TRUST MONEY IS IN A COMMON FUND  

601TDI(1)   [ Annual common fund administration fee]  

If any of the charitable trust's assets are included in a common fund operated by the trustee company, the trustee company may charge an annual common fund administration fee (GST inclusive) not exceeding 1.1 % of the gross value of the charitable trust's assets in the fund.

601TDI(2)   [ Regulations]  

The regulations may make provision relating to the common fund administration fee, including (but not limited to):


(a) the calculation of the common fund administration fee or of the gross value of the charitable trust's assets in the fund; and


(b) when, during a year, the common fund administration fee may be charged; and


(c) the apportionment of the common fund administration fee for part-years.

SECTION 601TDJ  

601TDJ   ADDITIONAL AMOUNT FOR PREPARATION OF RETURNS ETC.  


The trustee company may charge a reasonable fee for work involved in the preparation and lodging of returns for the purpose of, or in connection with, assessments of any duties or taxes (other than probate, death, succession or estate duties) related to the trust estate of the charitable trust.

Division 5 - Miscellaneous  

SECTION 601TEA   POWER OF THE COURT WITH RESPECT TO EXCESSIVE FEES  

601TEA(1)   [ Court may review and reduce fees]  

If the Court is of the opinion that fees charged by a licensed trustee company in respect of any estate are excessive, the Court may review the fees and may, on the review, reduce the fees.

601TEA(2)   [ Application]  

Subsection (1) does not apply to fees:


(a) that are charged as permitted by section 601TBB ; or


(b) that relate to a charitable trust and that are charged as permitted by Subdivision A of Division 4 .

601TEA(3)   [ Factors the Court may consider]  

In considering whether fees are excessive, the Court may consider any or all of the following matters:


(a) the extent to which the work performed by the trustee company was reasonably necessary;


(b) the extent to which the work likely to be performed by the trustee company is likely to be reasonably necessary;


(c) the period during which the work was, or is likely to be, performed by the trustee company;


(d) the quality of the work performed, or likely to be performed, by the trustee company;


(e) the complexity (or otherwise) of the work performed, or likely to be performed, by the trustee company;


(f) the extent (if any) to which the trustee company was, or is likely to be, required to deal with extraordinary issues;


(g) the extent (if any) to which the trustee company was, or is likely to be, required to accept a higher level of risk or responsibility than is usually the case;


(h) the value and nature of any property dealt with, or likely to be dealt with, by the trustee company;


(i) if the fees are ascertained, in whole or in part, on a time basis - the time properly taken, or likely to be properly taken, by the trustee company in performing the work;


(j) any other relevant matters.

601TEA(4)   [ How matter comes before Court]  

The Court may exercise itspowers under subsection (1) either on its own motion or on the application by or on behalf of a person with a proper interest in the estate.

601TEA(5)   [ Costs when fees reduced by more than 10%]  

If the fees are reduced by more than 10 % , the trustee company must, unless the Court in special circumstances otherwise orders, pay the costs of the review.

601TEA(6)   [ Court's discretion for costs]  

Subject to subsection (5), all questions of costs of the review are in the discretion of the Court.

SECTION 601TEB   DIRECTORS ' FEES  

601TEB(1)   [ Application]  

This section applies if:


(a) an estate that is administered or managed by a licensed trustee company has an interest in a corporation; and


(b) an officer of the trustee company, in his or her capacity as such an officer, acts as a director of the corporation for purposes connected with the administration or management of the estate.

601TEB(2)   [ Director's fees]  

The trustee company is entitled to receive from the corporation (and to retain) any director's fees that would be payable to the officer had he or she so acted otherwise than in his or her capacity as such an officer.

601TEB(3)   [ Officer and estate not entitled to fees]  

Neither the officer nor the estate is entitled to receive the fees that the trustee company is entitled to receive under subsection (2).