Community fundraising approval - Queensland

Description

Organisations that are not eligible for registration as a charity can fundraise for a charitable or community purpose by getting a sanction (i.e. approval).

A community purpose is something that promotes the general welfare of the public, such as:

  • constructing a building
  • maintaining a park
  • repairing a public recreation facility.

You do not need this sanction if you are a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

Service type

Licence

A licence defines the need to obtain recognition / certification and registration to undertake a certain business activity.

Eligibility requirements

To receive a sanction for a community purpose, you must:

  • have a constitution that sets out your charitable objectives and operating rules
  • be an association of 3 or more people (you do not have to be an incorporated association)
  • have a 'governing body' that controls the management of the association
  • have a clause in your constitution that states you are not for profit (unless your membership consists only of charities).

You must use the charity's income and property to promote its objectives. You must not:

  • distribute it among members
  • pay dividends to members (unless the members are charities).

For interstate charities, you must:

  • appoint at least 3 Queensland residents to carry out the association's Queensland activities
  • explain how the association will use the donations and how much will stay in Queensland
  • attach the trust deed with your application.

For overseas aid charities, you must either:

  • be associated with a trusted international aid organisation (both your association and the aid organisations must still give us a copy of their financial accounts each year)
  • receive funding from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAid)
  • show us how you will ensure donations will reach the beneficiary.

Duration

As specified

Fees

Fees Details for this service in table format.

Task Type Business Structure Description
Apply Application All

You do not need to pay any fees.

Application process

Apply

Charities registered with the ACNC will only need to submit an ACNC registration notification before they can fundraise in Queensland.

When submitting your form, attach:

  • your association's constitution, certified as accurate by 2 members of the governing body
  • the resolution or minutes from the meeting where the members or the governing body decided to apply for registration as a charity, certified as accurate by 2 members of the governing body
  • a statement of your association's financial affairs (and audited financial statements, if available)
  • written approval from the central body, if your association is a branch or section of a larger organisation.

Approval time

Generally, applications are assessed in 4 to 6 weeks.

Administering agency

Department of Justice and Attorney-General

Office of Fair Trading

Registration Services

Contact details

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.