Treasury & financeAgencyExists today
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission
ACNC
3 December 2012 – present
National regulator of charities that registers charities, keeps the public Charity Register and enforces governance and reporting obligations; its staff are provided by the ATO.
How it came into existence
Established on 3 December 2012 under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012, taking over the determination of charitable status previously made by the ATO as part of tax concession endorsement.
- Determination of charitable status
Legislation: Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012
Main functions
- Registration of charities
- Maintaining the public Charity Register
- Monitoring compliance with governance standards and reporting
- Guidance and education for charities
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Department of the Treasury.
Lineage
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Sources
Primary sources
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 11 December 2014 to the latest release (30 June 2026))