---
title: "Create an organisation"
slug: "create-an-organisation"
tags: ["Totara Platform", "Site Administrator", "How-to"]
updated: 2026-08-13T16:01:14Z
published: 2026-08-13T16:01:14Z
canonical: "totara.help/create-an-organisation"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://totara.help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create an organisation

Once you have [set up your organisation framework](/totara-20/docs/create-an-organisational-framework) you are ready to add the different parts of your organisation that make up the structure. These are the organisation items. You can set up your organisation items individually, or you can use bulk actions.

To create organisation items, follow these steps:

1. Go to *Quick-access menu > Organisations*.
2. Click **Manage organisations**.
3. Select the name of the organisation framework to which you will add organisation items.
4. Click **Add new organisation**.
5. Set the **Parent** organisation.
6. Give your organisation item a name.
7. You can give the organisation items an **Organisation** **ID number** and **Description** if required.
8. Set the **Organisation type**.
9. Click **Save changes**.

Your new organisation item will now appear in the organisation framework.

The **Parent** organisation allows you to build parent-child relationships between the individual organisation items in your hierarchy framework. You must have at least one organisation item set up in your framework for this option to be available. The default value is **Top**.

[Types](/totara-20/docs/create-an-organisation-type) allow you to set up custom fields and apply those fields to organisation items set up within your framework. This is an optional field which can be left blank or [set later](/totara-20/docs/assign-types-to-an-organisation).

You can also add a short name for your organisation if you enable **Display hierarchy shortnames** in [Configure features](/totara-20/docs/configure-features).

## Next steps

- [Edit an organisation](/totara-20/docs/edit-an-organisation)
- [Delete an organisation](/totara-20/docs/delete-an-organisation)
- [Create an organisation type](/totara-20/docs/create-an-organisation-type)

![Course badge](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/course-badge_positions-organisations-and-job-assignments.svg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-29T20%3A37%3A38Z&se=2026-10-29T21%3A37%3A38Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ev2Q04j04cdZ6HyCt5ObX050o9ojAU0S3WRHYFuAgTI%3D)The Totara Academy has a whole course dedicated to using [Positions, organisations and job assignments](https://totara.community/course/view.php?id=567) in Totara. Here you can learn more on how to use hierarchies and job assignments, see best practice, and give it a go yourself.

Join the [Totara Community](https://totara.community/) for more resources to help you get the most out of Totara.

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