The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission administers the following legislation:
- Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (Cth) (the ACNC Act)
- Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (Consequential and Transitional) Act 2012 (Cth) (the ACNC Consequential and Transitional Act).
- Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Regulations 2022 (Cth) (the ACNC Regulations)
- Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (Consequential and Transitional) Regulation 2016 (Cth)
- Charities Act 2013 (Cth) (the Charities Act)
- Charities (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2013 (Cth) (the Charities Consequential and Transitional Act)
- Charities (State or Territory Government Entity) Instrument 2024 (Cth) (made under subsection 4(2) of the Charities Act)
ACNC Act
This Act sets out the objects and functions of the ACNC, as well as the framework for the registration and regulation of charities.
ACNC Consequential and Transitional Act
This Act sets out transitional arrangements for the establishment of the ACNC and amends other legislation.
ACNC Regulations
These regulations provide more detailed requirements in relation to the ACNC Register, financial reporting and sets out the Governance Standards. The amendment to the regulations contains more detailed information in relation to the External Conduct Standards.
Charities Act
The Charities Act introduces a statutory definition of charity that sets out more clearly the common law meaning of charity and clarifies some areas of uncertainty.
The Charities Act applies from 1 January 2014.
Read more about the Charities Act and the legal meaning of charity.
More information
For more background to our legislation, read the explanatory memoranda or statements. These can be found by searching for the title of the relevant Bill, Act or other legislative instrument on the Commonwealth Government's Federal Register of Legislation.
For information about the ACNC's approach, including our interpretation of legislation and case law, read our corporate policies and Commissioner's Interpretation Statements.