What Financial Reports Does a Charity Need to Submit to the ACNC? 2026 Guide by Charity Size

Last updated: 25 October 2026.

Registered charities report to the ACNC every year, but exactly what you must submit depends on your size. Small charities have a lighter obligation; medium and large charities must also lodge a full financial report with a reviewer’s or auditor’s report. This guide sets out, in one place, what goes to the ACNC, when, and what to have ready, using ACNC guidance checked on 25 October 2026. It is general information, not legal advice.

The short version: every registered charity (other than those that report to ORIC) submits an Annual Information Statement (AIS). Medium and large charities, other than Basic Religious Charities, must submit an annual financial report with it; small charities may. Both are due within six months of the end of your reporting period, and for the 2026 AIS a 30 June year-end charity has until 31 January 2027.

The ACNC’s annual reporting obligations at a glance

Small (under A$500,000)Medium (A$500,000 to under A$3m)Large (A$3m or more)
Annual Information StatementYesYesYes
Annual financial reportOptionalYesYes
Basis of accountingCash or accrualAccrualAccrual
Review or audit of the financial reportNo ACNC requirementReviewed or auditedAudited
Time to notify ACNC of key changesAs soon as possible, no later than 60 daysAs soon as possible, no later than 28 daysAs soon as possible, no later than 28 days

The ACNC sets size by annual revenue for the reporting period. Exceptions apply: Basic Religious Charities and charities covered by transitional reporting arrangements (for example ORIC-registered charities, which report to ORIC rather than the ACNC). The ACNC also notes that a charity’s governing document or grant funding agreements may require a review or audit even where the ACNC does not. See does my charity need an audit or financial review?

1. The Annual Information Statement (AIS)

The AIS is an online form in the ACNC Charity Portal that all registered charities must complete each year. Some information in it appears on your Charity Register page. The ACNC’s 2026 AIS hub lists what to prepare:

  • Your size and reporting period. Questions vary by size, and you can check your financial year end on the Charity Register.
  • Charity programs and activities. Names, aims, beneficiaries and locations of each program.
  • Financial information. Basic questions for small charities, fuller questions for medium and large. The ACNC maps these to the National Standard Chart of Accounts (NSCOA), which is optional but free and accepted by all Australian governments.
  • State and territory reporting. The AIS collects information on behalf of some state and territory regulators, so completing it may meet some of your state obligations.
  • A declaration. The person filling in the form must confirm they are authorised and that the information is true, correct and complete. That can be a Responsible Person, an Authorised Person, an agent with written authorisation, or a lodging entity.

Our 2026 AIS checklist walks through the form.

2. The annual financial report (medium and large charities)

Medium and large charities (except Basic Religious Charities) must submit an annual financial report as part of the AIS. As a minimum the ACNC lists:

  1. A statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income
  2. A statement of financial position
  3. A statement of changes in equity
  4. A statement of cash flows
  5. Notes to the financial statements
  6. A signed and dated Responsible People’s declaration about the statements and notes
  7. A signed and dated reviewer’s report (medium) or auditor’s report (large)

The ACNC notes that in certain circumstances the other comprehensive income component and the statement of changes in equity may be presented differently, and that the report must comply with Australian Accounting Standards and give a true and fair view. Small charities may choose to submit a financial report, and may use cash accounting. If your governing document or a funder requires accrual statements or a financial report, you must follow it.

General purpose or special purpose statements?

Financial statements submitted to the ACNC must be either General Purpose Financial Statements (GPFS) or Special Purpose Financial Statements (SPFS). A charity that is a “reporting entity” must submit GPFS that comply with all applicable Australian Accounting Standards. A charity that is not a reporting entity can submit either. The ACNC says a charity is most likely a reporting entity where people rely on its statements to make decisions about allocating resources and could not have their needs met by special purpose statements, and it lists factors such as size, funding from governments, and the number of employees. This is a judgement your reviewer or auditor will also test. See our guide to ACNC financial reporting basics.

3. Review or audit report

The reviewer’s or auditor’s report, along with their signed independence declaration, goes with the financial report. Audits must be done by a registered company auditor, an audit firm or an authorised audit company; reviews of medium charities can also be done by a current member of a relevant professional body who is qualified to undertake a review. We prepare the financial information and coordinate the process, but the review or audit itself is independent. See our preparation checklist.

4. Notifying the ACNC of changes

Outside the annual cycle, the ACNC requires you to tell it about changes to your legal name, Address For Service, Responsible People, governing document, and any material error in an AIS or financial report. Small charities must do so as soon as possible and within 60 days; medium and large charities within 28 days.

5. Keeping records

The ACNC requires charities to keep certain written financial and operational records for seven years, in any format that is easy to find (including electronic), in English or a form easily translated. You do not have to give them to the ACNC unless asked. The ACNC says these obligations relate only to the ACNC Act and that other laws, such as privacy or health records legislation, may add more. See also how long to keep business records.

Due dates

The AIS and the financial report (if required) must be submitted within six months of the end of your reporting period. The two common patterns are 31 December for 1 July to 30 June reporting years and 30 June for calendar years. For the 2026 AIS, the ACNC states that the Commissioner extended the deadline to 31 January 2027 for charities reporting to a standard 1 July to 30 June year. Charities with other reporting periods are due six months after their period ends (for example, 31 March 2027 for a year ending 30 September 2026). Check your own due date on the ACNC Charity Register. If your AIS is overdue, the ACNC says to submit it immediately, and if you need an extension, contact the ACNC before the due date.

If you do not submit, the ACNC sends reminders and warning letters to your Address For Service and may take further action. See the ACNC page listed below. Do not rely on a single person’s inbox: the ACNC recommends using a general email address several people can access.

Reports to other bodies

The ACNC is only one of your reporting obligations. Funders usually want acquittals, the ATO has its own obligations (BAS and payroll reporting, if you are registered), and state or territory regulators may have additional requirements. For grants, see our grant acquittal guide; for GST, see GST for charities.

A practical year-round checklist

  • Reconcile bank accounts and grants monthly.
  • Keep restricted funds and programs tracked in the accounting system.
  • Prepare monthly reports for the board. See our treasurer’s report template.
  • Confirm your size after the year end, and watch for one-off income.
  • Decide early who will review or audit the report.
  • Keep your Charity Register details and Responsible People up to date.

How we help

We provide bookkeeping, BAS, grant tracking, board reporting and annual-reporting preparation for Sydney charities and not-for-profits, so your figures are ready before your AIS and financial report are due. Try our free Charity Health Check, read about our support for charities and NFPs, or email info@guidancegrowth.com.au.

Frequently asked questions

What does a charity have to submit to the ACNC each year?

Every registered charity (except those reporting to ORIC) must submit an Annual Information Statement. Medium and large charities, other than Basic Religious Charities, must also submit an annual financial report with a review or audit report. For small charities the financial report is optional.

When is the ACNC annual report due?

Within six months of the end of your reporting period. For the 2026 AIS, the ACNC says the Commissioner extended the deadline to 31 January 2027 for charities with a 1 July to 30 June year.

What is in a charity’s annual financial report?

At a minimum for medium and large charities: a statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, a statement of financial position, a statement of changes in equity, a statement of cash flows, notes, a signed Responsible People’s declaration and the signed reviewer’s or auditor’s report.

Can a small charity use cash accounting?

Yes. Small charities may use cash or accrual, unless their governing document or a funder requires accrual. Medium and large charities must use accrual accounting.

How long must a charity keep its records?

The ACNC requires charities to keep certain financial and operational records for seven years.

How soon must we tell the ACNC about changes?

As soon as possible, and no later than 60 days for small charities or 28 days for medium and large charities, for changes such as legal name, Address For Service, Responsible People or governing document.

Sources and further reading

This article is general information, not personal advice. Rules and dates can change, so check ato.gov.au or acnc.gov.au for the latest, or speak to us about your situation.

Similar Posts