Disbanded, dormant or defunct? Why the ACNC needs your charity’s Annual Information Statement regardless

However, ACNC officials appear to have reconciled themselves to the fact that this non-responsive group of non-compliant charities are likely to have their charity status revoked, after repeated but unsuccessful attempts to alert them to the need for action.

“This is a group of charities that we have attempted to trace and contact without success,” an ACNC spokesperson told the Advocate. “These charities may have changed their address and contact details, or have closed, and not notified us.”

An Annual Information Statement is an online form that all charities registered with the ACNC are required to complete, answering a range of questions about the charity’s operations and finances over a 12-month period.

Some charities are exempt, or exempt from answering certain questions, but the ACNC has drawn next Wednesday, October 15, as the line in the sand for charities currently maintaining radio silence.

In a public notice last month, Assistant Commissioner Cate Bennett stressed the need for charities to provide the required information. “Not only is it a legislative requirement, set out in the ACNC Act, but it’s also an important opportunity for charities to share details about their work and achievements,” she said. “Charities that maintain their reporting to us demonstrate accountability – not just to the ACNC, but to donors, beneficiaries, and the broader community.”

The ACNC said it had repeatedly attempted to contact the 77 charities facing deregistration, by email or mail, but without success, in the lead-up to next Wednesday’s deadline.

“It’s not too late for those charities listed to act,” Bennett said. “If they contact the ACNC and submit their outstanding reports, they can maintain their registration and continue to benefit from Commonwealth charity tax concessions.”

Even if the charities have ceased operating, or merged with another entity, it was essential that they alerted the ACNC, she said.

The commission said submission of Annual Information Statements was essential to maintain, protect and enhance public trust and confidence in the sector through increased accountability and transparency, and to promote the reduction of unnecessary regulatory obligations on the charity sector.

AIS information is also used for research and analysis, ensuring compliance and entitlement to be registered, assessing the need for education within the sector, and identifying developing trends and issues among Australian charities.

More information

Is your charity on the list? To see the charities still unaccounted for and facing deregistration, download the spreadsheet at the bottom of this ACNC public notice.

The ACNC also has information for charities struggling to access the portal to complete their AIS.