Is your not-for-profit a charity? 

To be a charity, your organisation must:

• be not-for-profit
• have a charitable purpose
• be for the public benefit (other than where the charitable purpose is the relief of poverty).

Examples of charities include:

• religious groups
• not-for-profit aged care homes
• homeless shelters
• disability service organisations
• universities and colleges
• animal welfare societies
• artistic or cultural groups.

See also:

• ACNC registration process at acnc.gov.auExternal Link

Who determines charitable status?

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) registers organisations as charities. Registration as a charity is voluntary. However, your organisation must be registered with the ACNC to access any charity tax concessions.

If your organisation was endorsed by us as a charity before 3 December 2012, your organisation is automatically registered with the ACNC and you do not have to re-register.