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ACNC details significant achievements with 2024-2025 annual report tabled in Parliament

Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission

Key Facts:

-          Highest number of charities registered in any year since regulator established.

-          Charity Register searched millions of times.

-          Regulator received concerns about 1,640 charities, up from 1,350. 

The nation’s charity regulator, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) details significant achievements in its latest annual report.

The 2024-2025 ACNC annual report was tabled today in Parliament.

Commissioner Sue Woodward AM said the ACNC works to support public trust and confidence in Australian charities. 

“It’s what ties all our work together. Our mindset is to ensure our Charity Register is accurate. With 2.1 million searches this year, up 8%, we know it’s a powerful tool that informs safe giving and volunteering, both of which go to the sustainability of the sector,” Ms Woodward said.

“We effectively managed extra demand for our services, largely meeting all our service standards and boosting our investigations and other compliance work.”

The number of charities registered rose sharply to 4,621 – the highest number in any year since 2012 when the regulator was established. More than half of all registration applications flowed from changes to reporting by not-for-profits (NFPs) that have self-assessed as income tax exempt. Over 80 NFP peak bodies were assisted through a streamlined bulk registration process. Almost 4,000 charities (86%) were registered within 15 business days of receiving all information necessary to make a decision – close to the 90% target – up from 74% in the previous year.

The regulator received concerns about 1,640 charities, up from 1,350 previously. This included what appeared to be coordinated efforts by groups of people lodging similar concerns using a template format. Before the federal election, updated guidance was published and a communications campaign was mounted to promote awareness about charity advocacy rules. The ACNC received 63 political advocacy concerns about 18 charities, considerably lower than the 445 concerns about 38 charities raised prior to the 2022 federal election.

Among the key pieces of compliance work, an enforceable undertaking with Hillsong College Limited was announced. While revocation is an outcome rarely sought, the ACNC worked with other agencies to address significant concerns about the management of Brindabella Christian College by Brindabella Christian Education Limited, which resulted in revocation. Findings were also published from a compliance review into charities’ management of safeguarding risk.

The Full Court of the Federal Court handed down a finding on Equality Australia Limited’s appeal regarding eligibility to be registered with the subtype of ‘Public Benevolent Institution’. Some elements of charity law are not well defined, and judicial consideration of this matter was welcome.

The 11^th edition of the Australian Charities Report and Data Explorer demonstrated the charity sector’s significant contribution, employing 1.54 million people or 10.7% of the nation’s workforce. Volunteer numbers rose to around 3.77 million, and sector revenue reached a record high of $222 billion, growing at a greater rate than the $212 billion sector expenses. The revenue rebound was not uniform however, with smaller charities proportionally doing less well on key financial indicators. For example, extra small charities made up over 30% of the sector but generated only 0.1% of total revenue. Aside from the largest single donation ever recorded – $4.9 billion to the Minderoo Foundation Group – donations flatlined. 

As of 30 June 2025, 73.4% of charities submitted their 2024 Annual Information Statement on time, compared to 72.5% in the previous year. The overall reporting rate was 97% for the 2023 Annual Information Statement.

Sector engagement was a key focus. Commissioner Sue Woodward AM spoke at flagship sector events, met local regulators and visited a range of charities in trips to the Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania. She was honoured to meet charity regulators from eight nations hosted by the Charity Commission of England and Wales, and continued to meet quarterly online. Hundreds attended the ACNC’s annual Regulators Day event.

Six new state and territory ex officio members of the ACNC Advisory Board were announced, providing an excellent opportunity to build on established collaboration with state and territory colleagues on cross-jurisdictional issues. The ACNC Advisory board, led by Chair, Sarah Davies AM, provided wise counsel, while Sector and Adviser Forum members provided great insights to assist in refining guidance and practices.

“I am pleased to say we met the challenge of increased demand and overall maintained a high standard of service,” Ms Woodward said. “My aim is to build a strong relationship with the sector and other regulators. Trust and a cohesive approach to regulation will support charities to operate effectively within the rules for the benefit of those they serve.”

About us:

The ACNC regulates around 65,000 Australian registered charities. Check the Charity Register.

Contact details:

ACNC Media

[email protected]

03 8612 6994