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The Charitable Purpose
ACNC monthly e-newsletter
May 2024
Commissioner's Column
As the regulator of the nation’s 60,000 registered charities, we are becoming increasingly concerned about charities using complex corporate structures to hide serious wrongdoing. We have just announced our compliance and enforcement focus 2024-25 so the sector and the public know where our efforts will be directed. The misuse of complex structures is an emerging focus area for the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
Charity news and updates
Guidance and resources for charities
New cyber security podcast episode
Jacqui Barr from the Australian Cyber Security Centre joins us on the ACNC Charity Chat podcast, outlining simple measures your charity can take to avoid becoming a target. ACNC Commissioner Sue Woodward AM also shares her thoughts on why charities need to put cyber security at the top of their agenda.
Self-evaluation for charities
Our self-evaluation tool aims to help you assess whether your charity is meeting its obligations, and to identify issues that may be preventing it from doing so. The tool asks questions and prompts you to describe the practical steps your charity is taking to meet its obligations and to list the relevant policies or procedures it has.
2023 Annual Information Statement
Does your charity operate on a calendar year?
Charities that operate on a calendar year (1 Jan to 31 Dec) must submit their 2023 Annual Information Statement before 30 June 2024.
Remember that there will be new questions requiring you to report your charity's dealings with related parties. Learn more about the new questions and what you need to know in our AIS Hub.
Get in early, beat the rush and submit via the Portal now.
Answering your questions
A few of the most common questions we have been hearing from charities recently...
Q. I want to review our charity’s governance. What tools are available to help us?
A. You should download and complete our self-evaluation tool.
It aims to help you assess whether your charity is meeting its obligations and identify any issues that may be preventing it from doing so.
The self-evaluation asks you to describe the practical steps your charity is taking to meet its obligations and to list relevant policies or procedures.
If you identify any areas in which your charity can improve, you should create an action plan to address those issues. The self-evaluation includes a template action plan to help you with this.
You should also familiarise yourself with the ACNC Governance Standards - a set of core, minimum standards relating to charity governance and how a charity is run.
Q. I want to strengthen the security of our digital systems. What are some of the steps my charity can take to prevent a cyber attack?
A. There are many practical things your charity can do to reduce risks and prevent incidents. They include:
- Update software, antivirus and operating systems regularly
Limit access to important information
Use multi-factor authentication for access to your charity’s systems
Protect networks by using strong firewalls
Only allow approved applications on your charity’s computer and phones, and block access to inappropriate websites and downloads
Use strong and unique passwords and change them regularly
Backup your data
For more information on how to manage the risk of cyber threats, read our guidance. You can also download the Australian Signals Directorate’s cyber security checklist for charities and not-for-profits.
Welcome to the charities we registered in April 2024.
We register hundreds of new charities every month. Take a look at the latest list.
To remain eligible for registration, charities must meet ongoing obligations.
Each time a Responsible Person (a committee or board member or trustee) commences or resigns from their position, you must notify us.
Learn more about notifying the ACNC.
Holding an annual general meeting is a good way to be accountable to your members. Read more about AGMs and view our free resources.
Stay up to date
The ACNC acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures and elders past and present.
