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Commissioner's Column

As we farewell 2025, I’ve been thinking about the various pathways charities take when they come into contact with us—and how we work to support them to stay on track with their obligations, as well as draw on many useful general governance resources and connections to other regulators and agencies.

This year, we registered more charities than ever, bringing the total number to 64,691. While registration is the essential first step, it is only one part of their time with us.

Read more [[link removed]] Charity news and updates Guidance and resources for charities

Webinar: completing the Annual Information Statement

Submitting your charity’s first Annual Information Statement (AIS) soon?

Watch our webinar and be guided step-by-step through each question in the AIS, and how to submit in the Charity Portal.

Watch the webinar [[link removed]]

New registration decision summaries published

We’ve updated our library of de-identified registration decision summaries [[link removed]]. These help charities understand how we assess registration applications and improve transparency about our work.

Take a look [[link removed]] 2025 Annual Information Statement

Charities that operate on a standard financial year (1 July to 30 June) must submit their 2025 Annual Information Statement prior to 31 January 2026.

Remember that there are questions requiring you to report your charity's dealings with related parties. You can learn more about the questions, and what you need to know before completing your charity's AIS on the AIS Hub [[link removed]].

Get in early, beat the rush and submit via the Portal now.

Submit via the Charity Portal now [[link removed]] Answering your questions

Q: I’m part of a charity newly registered with the ACNC. What are our ongoing obligations to maintain registration?

Welcome! To keep your charity registered and enjoy the benefits, you must:

remain not-for-profit pursue the charitable purpose/s for which the charity is registered report to the ACNC annually notify the ACNC of changes such as new board members comply with the ACNC Governance Standards comply with the External Conduct Standards if operating overseas keep records.

Read our ongoing obligations factsheet [[link removed]]

Q: My charity is considering merging with another. What do I need to know?

Merging [[link removed]] charities can be a great way to strengthen impact, share resources and reduce duplication—but it’s important to plan carefully.

You’ll need to think about how a merger would affect your charity’s legal structure, staff, assets and contracts. Often, a new charity is created, and the existing ones are wound up, which can affect things like your ABN, tax concessions and ACNC registration.

It’s a good idea to get professional advice early, especially if you’re dealing with significant assets or obligations.

From 1 January 2026, some mergers may also need approval from the ACCC under new rules [[link removed]].

Don’t forget you would need to notify the ACNC via the Charity Portal [[link removed]] any changes to your charity’s structure, governing documents or Responsible People, such as directors.

Resources for newly-registered charities

Charities must meet ongoing obligations to retain registration. You must notify us each time a Responsible Person (a committee or board member or trustee) commences or resigns from a position. Learn more [[link removed]].

Holding an annual general meeting is a good way to be accountable to your members. Read more about AGMs and view our free resources [[link removed]].

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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.

Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission

GPO Box 5108

Melbourne VIC 3001

© Commonwealth of Australia

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