Developed to protect the interests of stakeholders by ensuring that organisations act in a responsible way, these new standards apply to any charitable organisation that wishes to apply to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) with the exception of Basic Religious Charities.

Acting Commissioner Murray Baird suggests that the vast majority of Australian charities already act appropriately and govern themselves in accordance with the new standards, however where this is not the case the ACNC will provide advice and support to ensure that the standards are met.

Monitoring of the compliance standards through the regulator’s phased approach means that in the initial two years the ACNC will only act in cases that are deemed serious or deliberate violations.