NSW Charity Fundraising Changed on 1 April 2026: What to Know

Last updated: 25 October 2026.

If your charity fundraises in New South Wales, the rules changed on 1 April 2026. According to NSW Government guidance, charities registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) can now use that registration to automatically satisfy NSW registration, reporting and record-keeping requirements. In this guide we explain what a “deemed authority” is, what to do about it, and what still applies.

This is general information. The NSW Government and ACNC pages are the final word, and this is a fast-moving area, so check them for the latest.

What changed on 1 April 2026

NSW Fair Trading regulates charitable fundraising in NSW under the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 (NSW) and the Charitable Fundraising Regulation 2021 (NSW). Before 1 April 2026, a charity fundraising in NSW generally needed its own NSW fundraising authority. Now, the NSW Government says a charity is automatically authorised to fundraise in NSW under a deemed authority if:

  • it is registered with the ACNC;
  • it has notified the ACNC that it intends to conduct a fundraising appeal in NSW; and
  • the deemed authority has not been suspended or cancelled under the NSW charitable fundraising laws.

The ACNC adds that a deemed authority has no fixed term. There is no need to apply for or renew a licence as long as the charity remains registered with the ACNC.

What you no longer need to do

The NSW Government’s page (last updated 1 April 2026) says that as a deemed authority holder you do not need to:

  • apply to NSW Fair Trading for a NSW fundraising authority;
  • report annually to NSW Fair Trading;
  • submit a written compliance statement;
  • comply with NSW-specific record-keeping requirements;
  • notify NSW Fair Trading of specific changes or circumstances; or
  • comply with three governance-related Standard Conditions: submitting audited annual financial statements to the AGM, management of organisations, and internal dispute resolution processes.

Do we need to do anything?

It depends on where your charity is. The NSW Government’s guidance sets out three situations:

  • Registered with the ACNC and already holding a NSW fundraising authority: you do not need to do anything. The NSW page says your authority automatically becomes a deemed authority.
  • Registered with the ACNC and planning to start fundraising in NSW: you need to notify the ACNC that you intend to fundraise in NSW. The ACNC shares this with NSW Fair Trading.
  • Not yet registered with the ACNC: you can indicate your intention to fundraise in NSW on the ACNC registration application form.

For charities that are already registered, the ACNC says to use the 2026 Annual Information Statement (AIS) to notify it. Tick the box that says “Our charity fundraises online or in NSW, or will in the future” in the state and territory reporting section, and the ACNC notifies NSW Fair Trading on your behalf. The ACNC says charities that fundraise online, or plan to, should also tick it. If you are unsure which situation applies to you, check the NSW Government page or ask the ACNC. For the full AIS process, see our 2026 AIS checklist.

What still applies

A deemed authority is not a free pass. The NSW Government says deemed authority holders must still:

  • Comply with the National Fundraising Principles and the NSW Standard Conditions. These are conditions of the authority. For example, Principle 9 requires representatives to make it clear whether a donation is one-off or ongoing, and to explain how to end an ongoing donation.
  • Keep records. You still need to meet Principle 3 (records of fundraising activities), Principle 12 (financial records), the Standard Condition on records of employment for child participants, and the ACNC’s record-keeping obligations.
  • Meet ACNC reporting. You do not report to NSW Fair Trading as long as you comply with ACNC reporting and keep your registration. You must lodge your AIS each year.
  • Follow all other NSW charitable fundraising laws while fundraising in NSW.

Online fundraising counts. NSW guidance says that if an online appeal, such as a “donate now” button on your website or an email appeal, receives donations from people in NSW, the charity must hold an authority or deemed authority unless it is exempt.

How you could lose it

The NSW Government says you can lose deemed authority if you stop being registered with the ACNC, for example because your charity status is revoked, or if NSW Fair Trading suspends or cancels it, which it can do for breaches of conditions, failures to comply with the fundraising laws, or allegations of misleading or fraudulent behaviour. If that happens you cannot run a fundraising appeal unless you regain a deemed authority or obtain a NSW authority, and you may have to comply with NSW financial reporting and record requirements again.

A note on definitions and incorporated associations

The ACNC points out that NSW Fair Trading’s definition of a charitable purpose is different from the legal definition of charity the ACNC applies when registering charities. If you are not sure whether your organisation’s activities count as a fundraising appeal, ask NSW Fair Trading.

The NSW Government also says a NSW incorporated association that is registered with the ACNC can receive relief from NSW financial reporting requirements. The conditions are on the NSW page, so check them if that is your structure.

A practical checklist for NSW charities

  1. Confirm your charity is registered with the ACNC and can access the Charity Portal.
  2. Work out whether you hold a NSW authority today, or fundraise online or plan to.
  3. Tick the NSW fundraising box in the 2026 AIS where it applies.
  4. Review your donation pages and appeals against the National Fundraising Principles and NSW Standard Conditions.
  5. Keep fundraising and financial records in one place so they are easy to produce.
  6. Diarise the AIS deadline. For charities with a 1 July to 30 June year it is 31 January 2027.

How we help

We provide bookkeeping, grant tracking, board reporting and compliance support for charities and not-for-profits in Sydney, including keeping fundraising income and records organised. We do not give legal advice on fundraising law, so for legal questions speak to NSW Fair Trading or a lawyer. See our page on support for charities and NFPs, try the free Charity Health Check, or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

What is a deemed authority to fundraise in NSW?

It is an automatic authority held by ACNC-registered charities that have notified the ACNC they intend to fundraise in NSW. The NSW Government says it removes the need to apply to NSW Fair Trading for a separate NSW fundraising authority.

When did the change start?

1 April 2026, according to NSW Government guidance.

How does an existing charity notify the ACNC?

The ACNC says to use the 2026 Annual Information Statement. Tick the box that says “Our charity fundraises online or in NSW, or will in the future” in the state and territory reporting section, and the ACNC notifies NSW Fair Trading for you.

We already hold a NSW fundraising authority. Do we need to do anything?

The NSW Government says that if you are registered with the ACNC and already hold a NSW fundraising authority, you do not need to do anything and your authority automatically becomes a deemed authority.

Do we still need to follow NSW fundraising rules?

Yes. Deemed authority holders must comply with the National Fundraising Principles, the NSW Standard Conditions that apply to them, and the other NSW charitable fundraising laws.

Does online fundraising need an authority?

The NSW Government says that if an online appeal receives donations from people in NSW, the charity must hold an authority or deemed authority unless it is exempt.

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.

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