Victoria Takes ‘Exciting Step’ to Reduce Red Tape for Charities

The path to one stop reporting for Australian not for profits has moved a step closer with the announcement thousands of Victorian charities will benefit from new streamlined reporting arrangements.

It was announced on Thursday that the Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Marlene Kairouz, had officially signed the exemption order that will reduce red tape for incorporated associations.

The move means from 1 July, incorporated associations that are also charities registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) will no longer need to lodge an annual statement with Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) or pay an annual statement lodgement fee to CAV.

It follows years of work between the ACNC and CAV to end duplicative reporting obligations, which were costing Victorian charities both time and money.

ACNC commissioner Dr Gary Johns said he welcomed the announcement and thanked the Victorian government for their commitment to reducing red tape for charities.

“The reduction of red tape for registered charities is one of the three key objectives of the ACNC,” Johns said.

“We are very pleased to be able to announce this red tape reduction initiative today, as it will benefit thousands of charities in Victoria who are out there doing good work in the community.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the Victorian government’s commitment to reducing red tape for charities. While the ACNC can drive red tape reduction initiatives for charities, these can only become a reality through collaboration with our colleagues at the state and territory levels of government.”

The charities affected will continue to submit their ACNC Annual Information Statement each year, and the ACNC will share the relevant data with CAV on the charity’s behalf.

As a one time ACNC employee with Red Tape Reduction in my title, excuse me for being just a tad excited about this news! It has been a long time coming but nice to see it happen. https://t.co/JKD3SBKCIZ

— Sue Woodward (@nfp_nerd) June 7, 2018

Sue Woodward, director of national projects at Justice Connect and a former ACNC employee, told Pro Bono News the move, which has been in the pipeline ever since the ACNC was started five years ago, was very good news.

“It’s good news for two reasons. It means that it saves an annual fee for Victorian incorporated associations that are also registered charities. The second reason is it means they don’t have to do a separate report, one for the ACNC and one for Consumer Affairs Victoria,” Woodward said.

“So it’s an exciting step. It’s a small step but an exciting one on the path to one stop reporting.

“It’s a big part of why the sector were wanting to have a national regulator and it’s effectively using that charity passport to save Victorian charities from red tape.”

Victoria now joins South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT in their commitment to streamlined reporting arrangements for charities.

Johns said he hoped to be able to announce that more states were coming on board later this year.

“All going well, about 70 per cent of registered charities will no longer face duplicative reporting requirements,” he said.

Woodward said the hope was that every single state and territory across Australia does the same.

“I think having Victoria is a big step because it’s obviously one of the biggest states. And you know the more that are on board, the more the sector can help shine a light on those states that aren’t and ask the question why not?” she said.

“Why is it good enough for Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, ACT? What’s so special about you that you can’t help us in this way as well?”

For more information about the changes visit acnc.gov.au/VIC or the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.