Hundreds of charities revoked by national regulator

Five hundred and ninety charities have had their registration with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) revoked, after failing to submit their annual reports two years running.

In February 2017, ACNC Commissioner Susan Pascoe warned more than 1,300 registered charities that failing to submit their outstanding Annual Information Statements would result in the loss of charity status.

“As the national charity regulator, it is important that we provide the Australian community with accurate and up-to-date information on the Charity Register,” Pascoe said.

“This information is largely collected from the Annual Information Statements required from charities to meet their basic requirements to retain charitable status.

“The organisations that have lost their charity status were warned multiple times to submit their outstanding reports.”

Pascoe said more than 700 charities – over 55 per cent – that were initially at risk of revocation have recognised the importance of being accountable and transparent in their operations, and have submitted their outstanding statements. This group have retained their registration with the ACNC and will continue to access Commonwealth charity tax concessions.

“This is a positive outcome for these charities. Revocation for failing to report is always a last resort for the ACNC, and we prefer to work with charities to get them back on track.”

The remaining 590 charities that failed to submit their outstanding statements in the given timeframe have now been revoked. Charities that have been revoked will have this published on their Charity Register listing, and will no longer be able to display the ACNC’s Registered Charity Tick.

“Revoking charities that fail to meet their obligations is an important part of maintaining trust and confidence in the not-for-profit sector. The public need to be confident that the national regulator is only displaying eligible charities on the Charity Register,” Pascoe said.

“The Charity Register provides the public and donors with accurate and up-to-date information about Australia’s 54,000 charities. Since it was launched in late 2012, it has been searched over 1.7 million times.”