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Have your say on the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) updated Commissioner’s Interpretation Statement on the provision of housing by charities.
The ACNC is inviting public feedback by Friday 12 December.
ACNC Commissioner Sue Woodward AM said the updated statement will help charities, their advisers and the public understand how the ACNC applies the law to the provision of housing.
‘All levels of government have committed to delivering programs that help more Australians access social and affordable housing. To achieve this goal, new housing models are constantly being developed and refined, and charities play a key role in delivering these programs,’ Ms Woodward said.
‘The provision of housing is not itself a charitable purpose, so this statement is a crucial guide that will facilitate investment and innovation in social and affordable housing by providing greater clarity for new and existing charities that want to establish different types of housing models.’
‘This will also assist entities that require charity registration to apply for government funding, such as through the Housing Australia Future Fund.’
The updated statement aims to:
- achieve greater harmonisation with State and Territory social housing tenant eligibility criteria
- provide guidance on tenant cohorts that are commonly prioritised for funding, including veterans and older women
- update home ownership guidance to make clear where the ACNC will accept that any private benefit is merely incidental
- provide more detailed guidance on how we assess benefits to third parties, including private and public investors
- clarify the ACNC’s holistic approach to assessing poverty, distress and disadvantage
See the updated Commissioner’s Interpretation Statement: Charities’ provision of housing here.
To comment, or if you have any questions, please email cis@acnc.gov.au by close of business on Friday 12 December 2025.