Thanks to the many charities who have kick-started the year well by lodging their 2025 Annual Information Statement (AIS). This year, we have more charities on the ACNC Charity Register than ever before, and pleasingly, more have reported on time than in recent years.
Every registered charity, no matter its size or mission, is required to report annually to the ACNC. When your charity is overdue, its Register record displays a clear note: 'Charity reporting is late', with a red exclamation mark appearing when the AIS is 6 months overdue. This is replicated on every tab of your charity Register record.
Australians rely on the Charity Register to verify that organisations are genuine and to access key information before deciding where to donate money, volunteer and provide support. Use of the Register continues to rise, with over 2 million searches in the last financial year.
The AIS data we publish on your charity’s Register record helps demonstrate that your charity is continuing to pursue its purpose, meeting its obligations and managing its resources responsibly. Submitting on time supports transparency, maintains public confidence and avoids you facing compliance action, including revocation of your charity’s registration. If you need help, visit our 2025 AIS Hub, watch our AIS webinar (which takes you step by step through the process) or contact us.
As well as meeting reporting obligations, charities can further support public confidence by strengthening their governance. To help you, we have published three new governance tools. These resources prompt charities to reflect on existing processes, identify risks and address issues that may hinder good governance. They focus on three key areas where we consistently see charities needing additional support: conflicts of interest, related party transactions and record-keeping — the latter being a regulatory focus area for us in 2025-26.
The tools are practical, accessible and suitable for both newly registered and well-established charities. They outline what good governance looks like in everyday operations and help charities embed sound practices that protect their reputation and build the trust of their supporters.
Global research underscores the importance of these efforts. The Edelman Trust Barometer is an annual worldwide survey that has been conducted for 26 years in over 28 countries, with more than 33,000 respondents. Their 2026 results show that trust in organisations continues to be under pressure internationally, with people increasingly cautious about where they place their confidence.
For Australian charities, this reinforces the need to demonstrate integrity and transparency. In this ‘lower trust’ environment, timely and accurate reporting on charity activities and programs is core. The information published on the Charity Register helps the public understand how charities operate, how they use their resources, and whether they are meeting their obligations.
If your charity is overdue to submit its AIS, I encourage you to act now. We understand that delays can occur, but submitting as soon as possible helps ensure your charity remains transparent and accountable.
Most charities meet their ACNC obligations, and the sector should be proud of this. For charities required to submit a 2025 AIS by 31 January 2026, 74% have reported on time —a very positive result. This is a 2% increase on the previous year, a result which is even more impressive when you consider that the number of registered charities has grown.
I thank charities for their continued efforts and commitment. By working together, we can continue to strengthen public confidence in Australia’s charity sector.
Warm regards,
Sue Woodward AM