Summary - The Australian Charities and
Not-For-Profits Commission (ACNC) legislation has
received royal assent and the ACNC has commenced operation.
Today the Governor General assented to the Australian Charities
and Not-For-Profits Commission Act 2012 and the Australian
Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission (Consequential and
Transitional) Act 2012 (ACNC Acts).
Who is regulated by the legislation?
Although the title of the legislation extends to charities
and Not-For-Profits, at this stage the ACNC Acts
only cover "charities", with the possibility for
Not-For-Profits (who are not charities) being regulated under the
ACNC Acts at a later stage.
What is a charity?
Until a statutory definition of charity has been finalised (with
a briefing paper expected early in 2013 and the definition likely
to take effect on 1 July 2013) a "charity" will be
understood to encompass organisations for: the relief of poverty,
advancement of education, advancement of
