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As the new financial year begins, the ACNC is encouraging charities to review their governing document to make sure it still reflects their purpose and activities.
A governing document (such as a constitution, rules or trust deed) sets out a charity’s purpose and how it operates. Responsible People and staff should be familiar with it and make sure the charity is acting in line with it.
Over time, activities may change as a charity grows. Regularly reviewing your charity’s governing document helps confirm your charity continues to meet its charitable purpose and remains eligible for registration.
Charities need to notify the ACNC of any changes to their governing document. Charities can inform the ACNC of changes in the ACNC Charity Portal.
Making your charity’s governing document available on the ACNC Charity Register helps the public understand how the charity is governed and what its purposes are. This supports transparency and helps build trust in the sector.
With more than two million searches of the Charity Register in the last financial year, it is important that the information available is accurate and up to date so people can donate and volunteer with confidence.
Read our factsheet on governing documents.