Skip to content

6 Things to Know Before Registering a Charity

Before registering your charity, there are a number of documents and legal structures you need to have in place. It’s an exciting time as you approach your charity’s launch. You should submit the form to register as a charity through the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) website and can do so electronically. As there are many stages and steps involved in the application, we set out below six things you should know to ensure you can set up your registered charity.

1. ABN and Charity Name

Firstly, you will need to collate all the necessary details relating to your charity including your charity’s ABN and name. Your charity name will usually be the name that you have registered as a company, either one limited by guarantee or an unincorporated association.

You should also be clear at this stage as to the legal structure you have chosen for your charity. This could be an incorporated entity, trust, Australian public company, Australian private company, unincorporated entity or a co-operative entity.

Continue reading this article below the form
Loading form

3. Contact Details

You should have in place an address at which the ACNC documents will be served and note the contact person for your form. If a lawyer is helping you to register your charity, they will often be the contact person. The contact person should be the best person able to respond to any queries relating to the form and its content.

4. Charitable Purpose

The form will also ask you to address the purpose of your charity. The purpose(s) of your charity should be agreed upon during the early stages of setting it up, as it will also effect the categories under which you will apply to be a deductible gift recipient (DGR).

5. Responsible Person

You are also required to include the details of the ‘responsible person’ in relation to your charity. This is an important role as there are a number of duties that attaches to the ‘responsible person’. You should be aware that the name and position of each ‘responsible person’ will be publicly published. As such, the person signing up to this role should be comfortable with having their contact details accessible to the public.

6. Governing Documents and DGR status

As part of the process at this stage of registration, you will be required to provide the governing documents of the charity. The governing document will be different depending on whether you are set up as a company with a constitution, a set of rules governing the charity or a trust deed, if the not for profit has been established as a trust. This form also includes an application to apply for DGR status and registration for other tax concessions.

***

If you need help registering your charity, our experienced charity lawyers can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today on 1300 544 755 or visit our membership page.

Register for our free webinars

ACCC Merger Reforms: Key Takeaways for Executives and Legal Counsel

Online
Understand how the ACCC’s merger reforms impact your legal strategy. Register for our free webinar.
Register Now

Ask an Employment Lawyer: Contracts, Performance and Navigating Dismissals

Online
Ask an employment lawyer your contract, performance and dismissal questions in our free webinar. Register today.
Register Now

Stop Chasing Unpaid Invoices: Payment Terms That Actually Work

Online
Stop chasing late payments with stronger terms and protections. Register for our free webinar.
Register Now

Managing Psychosocial Risks: Employer and Legal Counsel Responsibilities

Online
Protect your business by managing workplace psychosocial risks. Register for our free webinar.
Register Now
See more webinars >
Edith Moss

Edith Moss

Read all articles by Edith

About LegalVision

LegalVision is an innovative commercial law firm that provides businesses with affordable, unlimited and ongoing legal assistance through our membership. We operate in Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

Learn more

We’re an award-winning law firm

  • Award

    2025 Future of Legal Services Innovation Finalist - Legal Innovation Awards

  • Award

    2025 Employer of Choice - Australasian Lawyer

  • Award

    2024 Law Company of the Year Finalist - The Lawyer Awards

  • Award

    2024 Law Firm of the Year Finalist - Modern Law Private Client Awards

  • Award

    2022 Law Firm of the Year - Australasian Law Awards