With organisations now re-opening their doors and re-implementing physical workplace arrangements, many have had to adapt their day to day operations. In this Insight, we explore key considerations for organisations and employers. A primary consideration for employers is the health and safety of their employees. Public health authorities have announced that the most effective method […]
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Eligibility for charity registration with ACNC
There are several factors to consider before setting up and applying to register a charity. In this Insight, we discuss the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) registration process, including some of the challenges, traps and pitfalls you may face in achieving registration. Registration of your charity can confer several benefits, including: Eligibility to apply […]
Partial Temporary Relief from ACNC compliance requirements for charities during COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting charity operations in several ways. Domestic charities face: increased demand for their services in the health, childcare, education and care sectors in both the health impact phase and ensuring economic recession; hampered fundraising efforts and distribution of services to those most in need; and additional demands on charity management and […]
Covid-19: Considerations for Independent Schools (Factsheet)
With a rapidly changing situation at hand, we present a summary of the key considerations independent schools need to take into consideration as they consider re-opening in the next phase of the COVID–19 pandemic. Term 2 will begin as it finished in Term 1. The majority of NSW students will be learning from home. Schools […]
Temporary Amendments to the Corporations Act 2001 & ATO Relief
On 22 March 2020, the Australian Federal Government announced its plans to make temporary changes to the corporations and insolvency laws amidst the expected difficulties and challenges to be faced by businesses in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes are intended to limit the liability of directors for insolvent trading where debts are incurred […]
Can a Charity’s Board Member be remunerated?
This is an inquiry we get often from our NFP sector clients. Remuneration of Board members in NFP organisations can take different forms, such as: Payment for work as board members; Payment as an employee of the charity; and Payment for services rendered to the charity (e.g. in a professional capacity). Depending on the entity […]
COVID-19: Important Information for Charities
As with all sectors of the economy, not-for-profits too have seen considerable change in the last few weeks amid the unprecedented COVID-19 situation. Legal changes – both temporary and those that may have longer-lasting impacts – are coming thick and fast. In this piece, we summarise information released by the ACNC recently to assist charities […]
Government response to the ACNC Legislation Review 2018
On 20 December 2017, the Government announced a review of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (Cth). A panel was appointed to carry out this review. The purpose of the review was to require the Panel to: examine the extent to which the objects of the ACNC Acts continue to be relevant; assess […]
Fair Trading investigation into an Established Not-for-profit Association
Due to concerns raised by NSW Fair Trading, an Association was at risk of cancellation. Known for its global influence, the Association’s mission involved providing aid and relief to poverty-stricken communities worldwide through housing for widows and orphans, building schools, orphan sponsorships, food distribution projects, clean drinking water and free healthcare. A cancellation of the […]
Australian lawyers call on Facebook to crackdown on anti-Muslim comments
A team of Australian lawyers are calling on Facebook to urgently fix their moderation policy after they found dozens of violent anti-Muslim comments were not removed. The findings of the investigation by lawyers from the Australian Muslim Advocacy Network and Sydney-based firm Birchgrove Legal were detailed in a letter sent to Facebook on Wednesday, days […]