This comparison table shows how the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct maps to the ACNC Governance Standards.

If a charity complies with the ACFID Code of Conduct, it is likely to meet the ACNC’s Governance Standards.

However, the ACFID Code of Conduct does not map to ACNC Governance Standards in an exact way, and the ACNC may still require a charity to demonstrate how it meets the Governance Standards.

ACNC Governance Standards

ACFID Code of Conduct

Standard 1: Purposes and not-for-profit nature

Charities must be not-for-profit and work towards their charitable purpose. They must be able to demonstrate this and provide information about their purposes to the public.

4.1 We articulate clear strategic goals for our work
6.1 We are truthful in our communication
7.1 We are not-for-profit and formed for a defined public benefit
7.3 We are accountable to our stakeholders
7.4 We have responsible and independent governance mechanisms
8.3 We report on the acquisition and use of our resources

Standard 2: Accountability to members

Charities that have members must take reasonable steps to be accountable to their members and provide them with adequate opportunity to raise concerns about how the charity is governed.

 7.3 We are accountable to our stakeholders
7.4 We have responsible and independent governance mechanisms
8.3 We report on the acquisition and use of our resources

Standard 3: Compliance with Australian laws

Charities must not commit a serious offence (such as fraud) under any Australian law or breach a law that may result in a penalty of 60 penalty units or more.

 1.4 We advance the safeguarding of children
7.2 We meet our legal and compliance obligations
8.1 We source our resources ethically
8.2 We ensure that funds and resources entrusted to us are properly controlled and managed
9.3 We manage our people effectively and fairly
9.4 We enable our people to conduct themselves professionally and according to our stated values

Standard 4: Suitability of Responsible People

Charities must take reasonable steps to:

  • be satisfied that its Responsible People (such as board or committee members or trustees) are not disqualified from managing a corporation under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or disqualified from being a Responsible Person of a registered charity by the ACNC Commissioner, and
  • remove any Responsible Person who does not meet these requirements.
 7.4 We have responsible and independent governance mechanisms

Standard 5: Duties of Responsible People

Charities must take reasonable steps to make sure that Responsible People are subject to, understand and carry out the duties set out in this Standard.

7.4 We have responsible and independent governance mechanisms
8.1 We source our resources ethically
8.2 We ensure that funds and resources entrusted to us are properly controlled and managed