Useful links

Australian Business Register
The Australian government’s business registration and reporting website, where you can apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN) or search ABN Lookup, the database of all ABNs.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission
Information, tools and online services for companies considering registering with or already registered with ASIC.

Australian Taxation Office
The national revenue collection agency. Hosts the ATO Non-profit portal with guidance on starting and managing a not-for-profit, including taxation issues and complying with ongoing ATO requirements.

business.gov.au
The Commonwealth Government's website for business owners, providing information, forms, business planning templates and guides and free business planning apps.

Safe Work Australia
Safe Work Australia leads the development of national policy on work health and safety and workers’ compensation. Site provides information, codes of practice and guidance such as the volunteer resource kit.

South Australian Consumer and Business Services – Community Organisations, Cooperatives and Charities
Guidance and links for incorporated associations and charities in South Australia.

Western Australian Department of Commerce – Not for profit
Guidance and forms for incorporated associations, charities and cooperatives in Western Australia, including Inc.: A Guide for Incorporated Associations in Western Australia.

Board Health Check
Tanarra Philanthropic Advisors have created a free online Board Health Check tool to help charity boards succeed in achieving their mission and goals. The Board Health Check asks a series of questions then provides a report with practical ideas to address areas for improvement and build on strengths.

Community Council for Australia
A member-based advocacy organisation of not-for-profits.

Community Door
Information and tools for managing a not-for-profit community organisation in Queensland (site managed by the Queensland Council of Social Services).

Connecting Up
A networking and resources hub for not-for-profits in Australia and New Zealand.

Philanthropy Australia
The national peak body for the philanthropic sector, providing advocacy, information and services. Publishes resources for philanthropists.

Volunteering Australia
The national peak body for representing volunteering interests, providing advocacy and resources for volunteers and organisations engaging volunteers. Provides volunteering resources, policy and best practice documents and hosts the Go Volunteer volunteer position database.

Not-for-profit Law (Justice Connect)
A community legal centre offering legal advice, training and information for not-for-profits across Australia.

Australian Institute of Company Directors
A member-based organisation of company directors providing advocacy, education and guidance on governance, including on not-for-profit governance.

Governance Institute of Australia
A professional association of chartered secretaries, governance advisers and risk managers providing education and resources, including on not-for-profit governance.

Institute of Community Directors Australia A governance network for not-for-profit boards, committees, councils and senior staff, providing information, tools and education (site managed by the Our Community Foundation).

CPA Australia
A member-based organisation of finance, accounting and business professionals, providing education, advocacy and resources on accounting and financial reporting.

National Tax Clinic program
A government-funded initiative to help people who may not be able to afford professional advice and representation with their tax affairs. This program is available to eligible individuals, small businesses, not-for-profit organisations and charities.

Chartered Accounts Australia and New Zealand
An association of accounting and business professionals providing education and advocacy for its members.

Fundraising Institute of Australia
The national peak body of fundraisers, providing advocacy, networking and resources for professional fundraisers.

National Pro Bono Resource Centre
An independent organisation supporting pro bono legal services in Australia. Its state directories list potential sources of pro bono legal advice in each state and territory.

Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies
An academic research centre at the Queensland University of Technology focused on philanthropy, not-for-profits and the social economy. Hosts the Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies Wiki, Developing Your Organisation Wiki for community organisations in Queensland and Developing Your Board Wiki with guidance, research and evaluation tools related to not-for-profit board governance

The Centre for Social Impact
A collaborative academic research centre focused on improving the delivery of beneficial social impact in Australia. The Centre for Social Impact at The University of New South Wales is partnering with the ACNC to develop the 2014 Australian Charities Report.

Torrens University's Social Enterprise Hub
Torrens University's Social Enterprise Hub is a free program that allows charities and not-for-profits to partner with students from the university. Charities and not-for-profits gain students' skills and expertise, and in return the students gain practical and meaningful industry experience that helps prepare them for their future careers.

GiveNow
A directory of causes and not-for-profits seeking volunteers and donations (site managed by the Our Community Foundation).

Our Community
A social enterprise providing advice, resources, tools and training for not-for-profits.

Pro Bono Australia
Daily news, directories and advertising for the not-for-profit sector.

Third Sector Magazine
A periodical for the not-for-profit sector covering news, governance, advocacy, membership, leadership and fundraising.