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Address For Service

An Address For Service is the primary address to which the ACNC will send a charity all correspondence. The Address For Service is an email address, or a physical or postal address in Australia.

Annual general meetings

An annual general meeting (AGM) is a meeting held once a year that all charity members are invited to attend. The purpose of an AGM is to give members a report on the charity’s activities and finances for the previous year, to allow time for members to ask questions, and to elect members to the charity's governing body.

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Changing your charity's governing document or rules

Sometimes it may be necessary for a charity to change its governing document in order to support new ways of doing things or to improve governance structures. Making changes to your charity's governing document is a significant decision, and there are some things to keep in mind when working through this process.

Charities and insolvency

A charity is insolvent if it cannot pay its debts as and when they become due and payable. A charity’s Responsible People have a duty to not allow their charity to operate while insolvent. 

Charities wishing to support disaster relief

Charities play an important role in supporting the victims of natural disasters ­– from providing food and shelter to counselling those who may have lost loved ones. Across Australia, charities are always at the heart of responding to major emergencies. This guidance list some things charities need to do or consider when looking to support disaster relief.

Charity advocacy

A charity can promote or oppose a change to any matter of law, policy or practice, if the change would further or oppose a charitable purpose. However, a charity must not have a 'disqualifying purpose'.

Charity tax concessions

This guidance outlines the variety of tax concessions that may be available to charities, and provides information on how to apply for tax concessions from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Choosing a new board member

When considering having a new board member join your charity, it is important to have your charity’s needs at the forefront of your mind. This factsheet examines some things charities and their Responsible People should do when looking to bring a new board member into their organisation.

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Deductible gift recipients (DGR) and the ACNC

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) decides on endorsement as a deductible gift recipient (DGR). The ACNC registers eligible organisations as charities. It's important to note that not all charities are eligible for DGR endorsement.

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Employing staff at your charity

While a large number of Australia’s registered charities draw on the efforts of volunteers, a significant portion pay employees. This factsheet covers some of the things your charity needs to consider before employing staff.

Engaging volunteers

Each year, millions of Australians contribute their time, energy and expertise to volunteering. Without their contributions, much of the work that charities do would not be possible. To support their contribution, these are some things to keep in mind when engaging volunteers.

Establishing strong financial controls at your charity

Strong financial systems and controls are very important in helping protect you and your charity, and in ensuring your charity runs effectively. This factsheet provides guidance on some relatively straightforward ways your charity can establish strong financial controls.

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Fundraising Hub

The ACNC Fundraising Hub is a collection of resources about state and territory fundraising regulators and guidance about charities and fundraising.

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Governing document

A charity’s governing document is the formal document that sets out the charity’s charitable purpose or purposes, that the charity operates on a not-for-profit basis, and the way the charity's governing body makes decisions and consults any members.

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Health Promotion Charities

The specific legal meaning of Health Promotion Charity is a charitable 'institution whose principal activity is to promote the prevention or the control of diseases in human beings'. This page explains what a Health Promotion Charity is, and outlines the requirements for registration as a Health Promotion Charity.

Holding meetings

To get the work of your charity done, you will need to hold meetings. This factsheet provides tips on things you can do to make sure your meetings are efficient, enjoyable and productive.

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Income

Income refers to the money flowing into a charity, and includes revenue, other income and other comprehensive income.

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Overseas aid and development charities

All charities should exercise due diligence and good governance. But when sending money overseas, charities may face particular risks of their charitable funds being diverted or otherwise misused, even if they are working with a local organisation which has similar charitable purposes.

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Public Benevolent Institutions

A Public Benevolent Institution is a type of charitable institution that has a main purpose of relieving poverty or distress.

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Revenue

Revenue is a component of a charity's income. Charity size is determined by annual total revenue.

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Small Charities Library - Reporting for small charities

Registered charities have an obligation to complete an Annual Information Statement each year. This includes answering questions about their charity’s finances. The level of reporting for small charities differs to that which is required by medium and large charities.

Small Charities Library - Social media

Charities should use social media responsibly, in line with public expectations and in ways which do not compromise the charity’s reputation or community standing. A social media policy can help guide charity behaviour and mitigate risks.

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Whistleblower protections

A whistleblower is someone with inside knowledge of an organisation who reports misconduct or dishonest or illegal activity that may have occurred within that organisation. Whistleblower protections are the protections provided to whistleblowers to enable them to come forward to report misconduct without fear of retribution or personal detriment.