Opening remarks to the Senate Estimates Economics Committee
This month’s column is an abridged version of ACNC Commissioner Sue Woodward AM's opening statement at a Senate Estimates hearing on 26 February 2025 at Parliament House in Canberra.
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The Charitable Purpose
The Charitable Purpose is our monthly e-newsletter, with news about matters that impact the charity sector and resources to help charities meet obligations to the ACNC.
Senate Estimates opening statements
The ACNC appears at Senate Estimates hearings as part of our transparency and accountability to the public. Our Commissioner presents an opening statement to give senators an update on the ACNC.
Artificial intelligence (AI) transparency statement
The ACNC is dedicated to ongoing refinement and enhancement of our AI capabilities. We will be transparent as we enable and prepare, engage, monitor, adopt, review, evolve, integrate and pivot to changes in AI technology, environment and policy requirements.
ACNC legislation
This page provides information about the legislation the ACNC administers, including details about the Charities Act and links to the ACNC's interpretation of legislation and case law.
About us
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is the national regulator of charities.
Group reporting and bulk lodgement
This page provides guidance about reporting to the ACNC through group reporting (when a group of registered charities submit one Annual Information Statement and financial report on behalf of the whole group) or bulk lodgement (when multiple registered charities submit more than one Annual Information Statement on a single form).
Overseas aid and development charities
All charities should exercise due diligence and good governance. But when sending money overseas, charities may face particular risks of their charitable funds being diverted or otherwise misused, even if they are working with a local organisation which has similar charitable purposes.
Charities operating overseas
Charities that work overseas must be able to identify and manage risks, handle money safely and protect staff and beneficiaries. Overseas activities are often harder to monitor than activities in Australia and charities may be exposed to greater risks. If operating overseas, charities need to meet the External Conduct Standards, as well as the Governance Standards.
Managing charity money: A guide for Responsible People
This guide has been developed to help charities understand their obligations to the ACNC regarding financial management, reporting on transactions and the use charity funds.