Ballarat Hackerspace is a volunteer-run non-profit

Ballarat Hackerspace Incorporated is a registered incorporated association under Victoria’s Associations Incorporation Reform Act. In plain terms, that means we’re a community organisation with a clear set of purposes, transparent governance, and rules that help keep the space safe, sustainable, and welcoming for everyone.

What “not-for-profit” means

We operate on a not-for-profit basis: any income we receive (memberships, donations, grants, fundraising, or project work) is used to support the hackerspace and its purposes, such as tools, materials, rent, insurance, maintenance, workshops, and community projects. Surplus funds are not distributed to members. Where a member supplies goods or services, or incurs expenses on behalf of the hackerspace, they may be paid or reimbursed in good faith on fair terms.

How we’re run

The hackerspace is managed by an elected committee (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and any ordinary committee members). We hold an Annual General Meeting each year, where members review what we’ve done, consider the financial statements, and elect the committee. Members can also raise items for discussion, vote on major decisions, and call special general meetings when required.

Membership and getting involved

Anyone who supports the purposes of the hackerspace can apply to become a member. Membership helps keep the doors open and the tools available, but participation isn’t limited to “experts”. We welcome curious beginners, hobbyists, artists, tinkerers, engineers, and everyone in between. The best way to get involved is to come along, say hello, and find a project, skill, or interest area you’d like to contribute to.

Community support, sponsorships, and donations

As a volunteer-run community organisation, we depend on local support to survive and grow. Membership fees help, but they rarely cover everything required to maintain and improve a shared workshop space. Rent, utilities, insurance, tool maintenance, consumables, and materials for public-facing projects all quickly take up the limited income. Community backing directly translates into more capability, more workshops, and more projects delivered for Ballarat.

We’re always open to working with sponsors and partners who want to support practical STEM, creative technology, and local making. Support can take many forms: donations of tools, equipment, materials, and consumables; financial sponsorship; or in-kind support such as fabrication services or specialist components. If you’re a business or organisation that would like to help, we can acknowledge support on our website and project pages, and we’re happy to discuss what recognition makes sense for your contribution.

We also take on partnered or commissioned projects where an organisation funds a build for an event, program, or community initiative. If you have any ideas such as an interactive installation, workshop series, public activation, or technical prototype, we can often help design and deliver it end-to-end, or collaborate with your team to make it happen. Donations of equipment or funds are equally appreciated, and every contribution helps keep the space active and accessible.

If you would like to get involved in any of these ways please contact us or drop in for a chat.

A safe, fair, and welcoming community

Like any community space, we have processes to help resolve issues if they arise. If you’d like the full formal rules or other Association documentation they are available on request, but this page and our Members page cover the short version of what matters day-to-day: we’re member-driven, transparent, and here to build things together.