The extension will allow for further engagement with stakeholders, including the Not-for-Profit (NFP) Sector Reform Council and the Charities Consultative Committee, and provide more time for the Australian Charities and NFP Commission Implementation Taskforce to prepare and distribute guidance materials to assist NFPs in the transitional period.

The Commission will:

• Provide education and support to the sector
• Administer a single national regulatory and reporting framework
• Maintain a public information portal
• Determine charitable status (including public benevolent institution status) for all Commonwealth purposes.

According to the Government, the extension will not affect the establishment of a general reporting framework and public information portal by 1 July 2013, or the introduction of a statutory definition of ‘charity’ by 1 July 2013.