How to Register a Charity in Australia: A Founder's Guide
A step-by-step guide to registering your charity, from choosing the right structure to meeting ACNC requirements and setting up governance.
Registering a charity in Australia gives your organisation legal recognition, access to tax concessions, and increased credibility with donors, funders and the public. This guide walks founders through the essential steps — choosing the right legal structure, preparing governing documents, registering with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), applying for an Australian Business Number (ABN) and tax concessions, and putting governance in place.
What does charity registration involve?
Registering a charity in Australia means meeting legal tests (such as having a charitable purpose and operating on a not-for-profit basis), choosing the appropriate legal structure and completing the required registrations with government agencies. The most visible registration is with the ACNC; depending on your activities you may also need an ABN, tax concessions from the ATO and, in some cases, endorsement as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).
Your Charity Registration Checklist
Confirm charitable purpose and not-for-profit status
✓ Define your charitable purpose
- Is your purpose recognised as charitable under Australian law (for example, relief of poverty, education, health, environment)?
- Will the organisation operate on a not-for-profit basis?
- Can you show how your activities deliver public or community benefit?
- Have you documented the purpose clearly for use in your constitution?
Quick fix: Draft a short purpose statement that clearly explains the public benefit your charity will provide.
Choose the right legal structure
✓ Select a legal entity
- Will you be an incorporated association, company limited by guarantee, charitable trust, or another form?
- Does the chosen structure suit your size, fundraising plans and governance needs?
- Have you checked state/territory rules for incorporated associations?
- Does the structure allow you to meet reporting obligations?
Quick fix: If unsure, list pros and cons for each structure and get brief legal advice before deciding.
Choose a name and obtain an ABN
✓ Reserve a name and apply for an ABN
- Is your proposed name available and not misleading?
- Have you checked trademarks and domain availability?
- Apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN) through the Australian Business Register.
- Consider registering a business name if you will trade under a different name.
Quick fix: Do a quick name search (ASIC/trademark) and apply for your ABN early — it's needed for many registrations.
Draft your constitution and governance documents
✓ Prepare governing documents
- Does your constitution set out purposes, membership, powers, conflicts of interest and winding-up rules?
- Have you defined roles and responsibilities for directors/trustees and officers?
- Is your document consistent with your chosen legal structure and ACNC requirements?
- Have you documented meeting and reporting processes?
Quick fix: Use an ACNC-compliant constitution template and adapt it to reflect your charity's purpose and governance arrangements.
Register with the ACNC and meet reporting rules
✓ Complete ACNC registration
- Do you meet the ACNC definition of a charity?
- Have you prepared information about activities, finances and key personnel?
- Be aware of annual reporting and record-keeping obligations after registration.
- Check for any state or territory fundraising or licensing requirements.
Quick fix: Gather ACNC required documents and a short organisational summary before starting the online registration.
Apply for tax concessions and set up operations
✓ Apply for ATO concessions and set up practical operations
- Apply for GST concessions, income tax exemptions and payroll tax exemptions where eligible.
- If relevant, consider applying for Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) endorsement.
- Set up a bank account, basic financial controls and record-keeping systems.
- Put in place insurance, privacy and fundraising procedures as required.
Quick fix: Start simple with clear financial processes and update them as your charity grows; seek specialist tax advice for DGR applications.
Essential Resources for Charity Registration
Official Government Sites
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ACNC: Information on registration, obligations and governance
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Australian Business Register (ABR): Apply for an ABN and register business names
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Australian Taxation Office (ATO): Tax concessions, DGR information and advice
Templates & Support
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Constitution templates: ACNC-recommended templates for common structures
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Pro bono legal clinics: Brief legal advice for start-up charities
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Governance guides: Practical checklists for boards and management
Common Pitfalls and Quick Fixes
Choosing the wrong legal structure
Problem: An unsuitable structure can create compliance headaches or limit fundraising and grant options.
Solution: Compare options (incorporated association, company limited by guarantee, trust) and seek brief advice if uncertain.
Vague governing documents
Problem: Unclear constitutions lead to disputes, governance failures and problems with registration.
Solution: Use ACNC-aligned templates, clearly define roles, and include conflict-of-interest and winding-up clauses.
Misunderstanding tax concessions and DGR
Problem: Expecting automatic tax concessions or DGR status can lead to fundraising and accounting errors.
Solution: Apply separately for ATO concessions and DGR endorsement and get specialist tax guidance for complex cases.
Poor governance and record keeping
Problem: Weak controls put charities at risk of non-compliance and reputational harm.
Solution: Implement simple financial controls, keep clear minutes and records, and schedule regular governance reviews.
Beyond Registration
Registration is the beginning. To be a resilient and trusted charity you'll need ongoing compliance, good governance and active stewardship of your mission.
Take Action Today
Registering a charity is a strategic and administrative process. Start by clarifying your purpose and choosing the right legal structure, then follow the registration and governance steps below.
Remember: Thoughtful preparation pays off — clear purposes, appropriate structures and strong governance make your charity more effective and sustainable. Start with these steps, document everything, and seek specialist advice for complex tax or legal questions.