{"id":297956,"date":"2025-10-13T16:14:41","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T04:14:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/?post_type=sbh&p=297956"},"modified":"2025-11-07T13:55:23","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T01:55:23","slug":"acnc-registration","status":"publish","type":"sbh","link":"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/not-for-profit\/acnc-registration\/","title":{"rendered":"ACNC Registration"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.23″ custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.23″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”table-contents” _builder_version=”4.23″ background_color=”#f3f2f6″ custom_padding=”25px||25px||true|false” sticky_position=”top” sticky_limit_bottom=”section” sticky_position_tablet=”top” sticky_position_phone=”none” sticky_position_last_edited=”on|desktop” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ border_radii=”on|24px|24px|24px|24px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23″ text_font=”||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}” background__hover_enabled=”on|desktop”][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_2_font_size=”32px” header_2_font_size_tablet=”30px” header_2_font_size_phone=”26px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Starting or formalising a not-for-profit (NFP) is pretty exciting \u2013 and also a little admin-heavy. If you\u2019re just getting started and need to know what \u2018not for profit status\u2019 actually means, as well as how Australian charities fit inside the wider not for profit sector, you\u2019ve come to the right place.<\/p>\n

NFP vs charity: What\u2019s the difference?<\/h2>\n

Not-for-profit organisations don\u2019t exist to provide a profit or other benefit to particular people (e.g. members, founders, or relatives). They can, however, earn income and even generate a profit, but that money must be applied solely to the organisation\u2019s charitable or community purpose and not distributed directly or indirectly to individual members.<\/p>\n

If the organisation closes down, assets can\u2019t flow on to members. Instead, they have to transfer to an organisation with similar purposes. This principle is usually locked into your governing document via a not-for-profit clause and a dissolution clause (i.e. using language like \u201cUpon such dissolution, assets go to a charity with similar purposes, not to members, except as genuine compensation for services rendered or expenses incurred on behalf of the organisation\u201d).<\/p>\n

A charity is a specific kind of NFP with a recognised charitable purpose and a public benefit. Charities must register with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) to operate as registered charities and enjoy charity tax concessions. Non-charity NFPs still have to interact with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for tax matters<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Choose a legal structure (before you apply)<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Charity-legal-structures.png” alt=”Common charity legal structures” title_text=”Charity Legal Structures” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Body” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_2_font_size=”32px” header_2_font_size_tablet=”30px” header_2_font_size_phone=”26px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

There are different ways to structure your NFP organisation. Your choice will ultimately impact how you register, which regulator you file with, how you handle ongoing reporting, and where you can operate. The most common types of legal structures are:<\/p>\n