South Australian charities must comply with the Charities Code of Practice, which adopts the National Fundraising Principles agreed to by Commonwealth, State, and Territory Treasurers.
The Consumer and Business Services Charity Register is currently under review. To check on the status of a charity operating in South Australia, please visit the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) website.
What is a charity?
A charity is an organisation, or fund that helps people, animals, or the community.
All charities must:
- be not-for-profit
- help the public
- have a clear purpose.
Is your organisation a charity? - Australian Taxation Office
Fundraising laws in South Australia
If you're collecting for the reasons below which meet the definition of "charitable purpose, you must have a Collections for Charitable Purposes Licence (CCP). This means money raised must go towards at least one of the following:
- health-related support and assistance
- research into health services
- help for disabled, sick, poor, or unemployed people and their families
- support current or past members of the armed forces and their families
- war relief for people around the world
- helping animals.
You don’t need a licence if you’re raising money for something that isn’t a charitable purpose.
Example: fundraising for equipment for a football club doesn’t require a licence as it doesn’t meet the definition of a charitable purpose.
Who needs a licence?
South Australian-based charities must apply for a CCP licence through Consumer and Business Services (CBS).
If you want to fundraise in South Australia for an Australia-wide or international charity, you must register with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
You do not need a licence if you are collecting goods (e.g. clothing, food, blankets) for a particular person or their dependants - as long as the collector isn’t paid and all donations go directly to that person.
Example: You are collecting used clothing and blankets for a sick neighbour's family (a particular person) so you don't need a licence.
You also don't need a licence if you're collecting money or goods from people you know, provided all money or goods go to a licensed charity, and you are not paid to collect.
Example: You're not being paid to collect money from friends and family for the welfare of animals, and all the money goes to a registered animal charity.
Check if your interstate or overseas licence is recognised in SA
Collecting for charity
You must be authorised by a licensed charity to collect money or goods.
This includes:
- door-knock appeals, street collections, and online fundraising
- charging admission to an event where the proceeds will go to charity
- selling items like badges, ribbons, or second-hand goods
- any other fundraising activity.
You cannot collect money for a charity that doesn't have a licence, unless you're collecting directly for a particular person or their dependants.
If you want to put a collection box or tin in a public space you must show:
- the charity’s name and contact details
- where financial records (income and expenditure statements) can be accessed.
Entertainment fundraisers
If you’re running an event or show where entry fees (in whole or part) are donated to charity:
- you must hold a CCP licence
- all advertising and tickets must include the licensed charity’s name and contact details
- financial records must be accessible to anyone who asks
- details of any performer payment over $5,000, must be available on request.
Is your licence valid?
If you are fundraising from another state or overseas, check if your licence is recognised in South Australia.
You can only start fundraising after you have registered with the ACNC and notified CBS using the official notification form.
Getting a licence and registering your charity
If you’re only registered with CBS, you will need to:
- keep proper financial records
- submit a yearly report of fundraising activities (not required if registered with ACNC)
- renew your licence every year (not needed if registered with ACNC).
Rules for collectors
If you’re collecting for a charity, you must:
- be licensed or working for a licensed group
- give your name and say if you’re being paid (if asked)
- wear a badge or give your details (if asked)
- display the charity’s name, contact details, and financial information on any collection boxes or tins.
Prescribed associations
If your incorporated association is registered with the ACNC, you don’t need to lodge this information with CBS.
Example: If your association earns more than $500,000 in a year and is an ACNC-registered charity, you don’t have to submit an annual return to CBS.
If your association is not registered with the ACNC you must:
- lodge annual fundraising income and expenditure statements (if you hold a CCP licence)
- lodge a periodic return, as required by Associations Law.
