Can environmental groups register with the ACNC?
The ACNC registers organisations as charities. Environmental groups that meet the legal meaning of charity and our requirements for registration can register as charities with the ACNC.
When applying to register, environmental groups may wish to select 'advancing the purpose of advancing the natural environment' as their charitable purpose and 'environmental programs (including flora or fauna)' as one of their charitable activities. Environmental groups may also select other recognised charitable purposes they have, or other charitable activities they engage in, such as protecting animals.
Eligible environmental groups can also apply to the Register of Environmental Organisations to be endorsed to receive tax deductible gifts.
How does the ACNC affect environmental groups?
Environmental groups registered with the ACNC have ongoing obligations under the ACNC Act. These include to:
- notify us of certain changes
- keep records
- report to us each year
- comply with governance standards and external conduct standards, where applicable.
Unless we or another government agency tell you otherwise, environmental groups that have obligations to another government agency (such as notification or reporting) must continue to meet these obligations. The ACNC will be working with other government agencies to reduce unnecessary regulatory obligations over time. Find out more about this work and whether it affects your organisation by reading about charity obligations to other regulators.