Fix Fundraising
Australia’s fundraising laws are a mess.
Our charities and not-for-profits should be able to get on with their jobs of supporting communities.
Learn more about the campaign
Why we need to fix fundraising
If charities or (in some states) other not-for-profit groups want to raise money online, they need to apply for a fundraising licence in every state. Before the internet, this may not have mattered, but a major survey in May 2021 confirmed that the majority of fundraising is done online. Even very small groups can have a national fundraising appeal.
Under the existing laws, any charity with a donate button on their website might need to have a registered office in NSW and have all their board get police checks in WA (even if they are based in Tasmania!). They’re doing this paperwork instead of getting on with their crucial work, wasting time and money that could go to supporting communities.
But there is hope after a recent campaign win: On 7 October 2022, we were pleased to welcome the Federal Assistant Minister for Charities and the Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs’ joint announcement that the previously foreshadowed framework for national consistency on charitable fundraising is expected to be released before the end of the year. It is encouraging to see advancements on this important law reform that will allow Australian charities to get on with their jobs of serving their communities. Find out more.
The time to #FixFundraising was yesterday
How we’re helping to fix fundraising
Our campaign to #FixFundraising has long advocated for charities to be able to focus on the vital services they exist to deliver, like helping communities affected by floods, patrolling our beaches, or delivering life-changing community services, instead of sinking resources into complying with outdated, expensive and complicated regulations.
We’re calling for a single set of rules to help ensure ethical fundraising practise. We call these the Australian Fundraising Principles (AFPs).
Read our proposed Australian Fundraising PrinciplesSupporters of our #FixFundraising campaign
We’ve joined with hundreds of not-for-profits around Australia, asking our government to #FixFundraising.
NEW: For a simple overview of our #FixFundraising campaign, you can download our latest Fix Fundraising briefing pack.
Download our Fix Fundraising briefing pack:
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2022 campaign highlights
July: Queensland Government proposes a key step forward
We welcome the Queensland Government’s proposal to introduce a cross-border recognition scheme for charitable fundraising registration.
However, we strongly recommend that the scheme be extended to recognise the annual reports provided to the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC) as satisfying the annual reporting requirements under the Collections Act 1966 for those ACNC registered charities.
Read our submission:
2021 campaign highlights
December: Federal, State and Territory Governments jointly commit to #FixFundraising
On 14 December 2021 we were pleased to welcome the Federal Treasurer’s announcement that the Council on Federal Financial Relations (CFFR) has made charitable fundraising rules reform one of its top 10 priorities for 2022. Led by the Commonwealth and Victoria, a proposal for a national framework will be developed for the CFFR’s consideration. Once implemented, this could finally fix the current minefield of overlapping and out-of-date regulations.
May: Fundraising Survey reveals ineffectiveness of Australia’s current fundraising laws
The Charities Crisis Cabinet, in partnership with the #FixFundraising campaign coalition, released the Fundraising Survey 2021 which reveals just how ineffective, complex and slow Australia’s current fundraising laws are.
Involving over 600 charities and not-for-profits, the research report by Piazza Research warns 40% of Australian charities say current fundraising rules are causing them “an unnecessary financial burden”. Moreover, 1 in 5 of Australian charities believes the current rules and regulations for charities have become a major barrier to fundraising.
See the full campaign timeline2020 campaign highlights
December: #FixFundraising is now on the national agenda
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Senator Zed Seselja announced that all states, territories and the Commonwealth had agreed to reforms to fundraising regulations to create a single, cross-border recognised registration point for charities. A major win for the campaign.
The #FixFundraising reforms will:
- Reduce costs and the administrative burden on ACNC registered charities that operate across multiple states.
- Simplify financial reporting requirements.
- Improve transparency by centralising registration and reporting through the ACNC.
These changes are the crucial first step. We will continue to push for the necessary other steps until all the changes needed to #FixFundraising in Australia are implemented.
Read more about this development.
See the full campaign timeline2019 campaign highlights
May: All major parties have made an election commitment to #FixFundraising
All major parties committed to fixing Australia’s fundraising laws as part of their election platform.
With a stronger, simpler and smarter regime, Australia can build a modern fundraising system that works as well for donors as it does for our vital charities. Read more about each party’s commitment, and about the full package of charity reforms that Labor has promised.
See the full campaign timelineEarlier campaign highlights
We’ve been advocating for the government to #FixFundraising many years. Other significant wins include specialist guidance for charities about fundraising and the Australian Consumer Law; the independent review of the ACNC recommended #FixFundraising.
See the full campaign timelineDoes your not-for-profit need legal help?
Justice Connect’s Not-for-profit Law service can provide free legal advice to eligible community organisations and social enterprises.
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Read our latest articles on fixing fundraising
As part of our strategy to help #FixFundraising, we share what we’ve learned from our work in submissions to Royal Commissions and provide recommendations to governments.
Our stories about fixing fundraising
Helping a community organisation grow
Read Welcome to Eltham's story“It started off as just a little group of us and then went absolutely ballistic!”
