Charity regulator investigations increasingly complex: ACNC report

The report showed the Commission failed to meet two of its eight service standards.

While an improvement on the previous year, the commitment to decide on submissions to change a charity's registered details within 15 days fell short of the 90% benchmark, increasing from 59% to 67%.

The percentage of investigations finalised within 12 months also fell to just over half, well below the 75% benchmark.

The regulator said this was due to a range of factors, including the increasing complexity of investigations, a significant multi‑charity investigation, changed processes to improve the integrity of investigation outcomes, and staff vacancies.

As revealed exclusively by ACNC commissioner Sue Woodward last month in the Community Advocate, the regulator processed 5,535 charity registration applications.

About 100 applications were refused, with most of the others either closed because they were incomplete or withdrawn because the applicant became aware after discussions that they did not meet eligibility requirements.

The 2022-2023 Annual Report is the first under Commissioner Woodward, who began her term last December.

Ms Woodward said a fresh focus on consultation has strengthened the regulators work to build public confidence in the sector.

She said the report demonstrates the breadth of the Commission’s work and achievements.

“In 2022–23, we strengthened our focus on consultation with the sector and on maximising the impact of our data, such as that available on the Charity Register, which is viewed millions of times each year.”

The ACNC also launched its Governing Charities online learning program, a suite of 12 free online learning courses to support charity leaders.

Ms Woodward said charities delivered a clear message that advocacy was an important area of their work and they wanted greater clarity on the rules relating to this.

“We spent time in a range of forums emphasising that charities have the right to advocate to further their charitable purpose,” she said.

“We added specific details about the (Voice) referendum to our guidance anticipating that charities would need that confirmation.”

The report sets out key achievements in the decade since the ACNC was established, which include improved data on the Charity Register, cuts to red tape for charities and the creation of a new Charity Data Hub, designed to consolidate ACNC publications and data about registered charities.

“As someone who envisioned the establishment of a regulator and was here at the ACNC’s beginning, it is a pleasure to see how far the ACNC has come,” said Ms Woodward.

“I aim to build on its success by evolving our regulatory approach further and responding to changes in the sector, while also ensuring we get the fundamentals right.”

More information

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