Section 254DCorporations Act 2001 (Cth)

Pre‑emption for existing shareholders on issue of shares in proprietary company (replaceable rule—see section 135)

(1) Before issuing shares of a particular class, the directors of a proprietary company must offer them to the existing holders of shares of that class. As far as practicable, the number of shares offered to each shareholder must be in proportion to the number of shares of that class that they already hold.

(2) To make the offer, the directors must give the shareholders a statement setting out the terms of the offer, including:

(a) the number of shares offered; and

(b) the period for which it will remain open.

(3) The directors may issue any shares not taken up under the offer under subsection (1) as they see fit.

(4) The company may by resolution passed at a general meeting authorise the directors to make a particular issue of shares without complying with subsection (1).

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 17 May 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au. Verify the current text against the official source before relying on it.

Related sections

Research how courts apply s 254D

BriefBridge searches Australian caselaw by meaning — every answer cited to the paragraph.

Try BriefBridge free