You can watch all sessions from the ACNC’s 2026 Governing for Good Forum online via YouTube.
The annual event was held on Friday 14 August, with more than 20 speakers sharing sector insights on topics such as governance, working with partners, sector challenges and much more.
More than 130 people attended the event in-person, including representatives from not-for-profits, key regulators, sector professionals and charities of all sizes and types. The forum also attracted a strong online audience, with more than 400 people tuning in and nearly 1,000 views recorded across the day's livestream sessions.
The day began with a Welcome to Country from Wurundjeri Elder Annette Xiberras, who spoke of the benefits of collaboration between cultures to achieve good outcomes. ‘It's really important we work together as one for a better future in the name of reconciliation for Australians,’ she said.
The Hon. Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury presented the keynote address, announcing the new Charity Resilience and Productivity Project, to be delivered by the ACNC.
‘The project will help the ACNC build capability where the need is greatest, among small and volunteer run groups, newly registered charities, organisations working across language barriers and charities in rural and regional Australia,’ Dr Leigh said.
‘It will provide practical help on common governance failures, muddled records, unmanaged conflicts of interest, internal disputes and the misuse of charitable funds. It will support charities to understand new laws. It will improve cyber hygiene, fraud awareness, data protection, and the safe and ethical use of artificial intelligence and other productivity tools.
‘It will strengthen the ACNC's work under its second statutory object, supporting and sustaining a robust, vibrant, independent and innovative charity sector,’ he said.
ACNC Commissioner Sue Woodward AM gave the opening address, drawing attention to the two key principles of charity governance – acting for your charitable purpose and for the public benefit.
‘For me, these principles are at the heart of the social licence that charities rely on,’ Ms Woodward said. ‘And that social licence depends very much on public trust and confidence. At the ACNC, our key responsibility is to help charities maintain that trust.’
Ms Woodward highlighted the ACNC’s current regulatory focus areas of governing documents and working with partners, the updated Commission’s Interpretation Statement on community housing, and accessible ACNC resources translated into languages other than English.
A range of panel discussions were held throughout the day.
'Regulating for Good' provided an overview of the work happening across ACNC directorates over the last 12 months.
Collaboration was in the spotlight in 'Focus area: Working with partners'. Speakers provided an overview of the benefits of partnerships – particularly for charities working overseas – and shared tips on how to manage any potential risks to ensure charities continue to meet their obligations.
'Conversations with stakeholders' brought together a panel of experts from across the regulatory sector, who shared important insights into projects and initiatives for charities that support the sector.
'The state of charity regulation' explored charity regulation across Australia, before 'Governance challenges for the sector' took a deeper look at key governance issues facing charities.
The day concluded with closing remarks from ACNC Advisory Board Chair, Sarah Davies AM.
Watch all sessions from the 2026 Governing for Good Forum on YouTube and explore the latest insights on charity governance, regulation and sector challenges.
Welcome to Country
| Delivered by: Wurundjeri Elder Annette Xiberras |
Opening address
| Speaker: Sue Woodward AM, ACNC Commissioner |
Keynote address
| Speaker: Hon. Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury |
Regulating for Good
| Speakers: Chris De Sair – Director Digital Services, ACNC Jessica Horey – Director Compliance, ACNC Tim Liu – Director Reporting, Red Tape Reduction and Corporate Services, ACNC Suhanya Mendes – Director Legal and Policy, ACNC Angela Simone – Director Registration, ACNC Rachel Smith – Director Advice Services, Education and Public Affairs, ACNC Chair: Cate Bennett – ACNC Assistant Commissioner, General Counsel and Regulatory Services |
Focus areas: Working with partners
| Speakers: Matthew Maury - CEO, Australian Council for International Development Chris Tanti - CEO, Leukaemia Foundation Maree Sidey - CEO, Philanthropy Australia Chair: Jessica Horey, ACNC Director - Compliance |
Conversations with stakeholders
| Speakers: Rowan Fox - Deputy Commissioner for Small Business, Australian Taxation Office Anthony Seebach - First Assistant Secretary, Treasury Paul Franklin - Senior Executive Leader, Australian Securities and Investments Commission Maggie Man - Senior Manager, Australian Accounting Standards Board Chair: Nadine Clode, ACNC Assistant Commissioner, Operations and Engagement |
The state of charity regulation
| Speakers: Trish Blake - Commissioner for Consumer Protection WA Rhys Benny - Director, Licensing and Transactions, Consumer Affairs VIC Andrew Floro - Executive Director, Consumer Affairs NSW Ben Griffin - Deputy Director-General, Community Services and Consumer Protection and Commissioner for Fair Trading QLD Giuseppe Mangeruca - Executive Branch Manager, Authorisations and Approvals, Access Canberra ACT Amanda Nobbs-Carcuro - Executive Director, Industry Capability, Licensing and Migration NT Alison Selleck - Assistant Director, Licensing, Gambling and Associations, Consumer and Business Services SA Brad Wagg - Acting Executive Director of Consumer, Building and Occupational Services TAS Chair: Sue Woodward AM, Commissioner, ACNC |
Governance challenges for the sector
| Speakers: Geraldine Menere - Head of Not-for-profit Law, Justice Connect Phil Butler - Not-for-Profit Lead, Australian Institute of Company Directors Catherine Maxwell - General Manager, Policy and Advocacy, Governance Institute of Australia Chair: Sarah Davies AM, Chair, ACNC Advisory Board |
Closing remarks
| Speaker: Sarah Davies AM, Chair, ACNC Advisory Board |