Photographer : Adrian MB |
Before you begin fundraising on behalf of any organisation/charity—there are a few practical and legal matters you need to consider.
- You cannot raise funds on behalf of any charity or organisation without first obtaining their authorisation for your fundraising activities. Not doing so is illegal and will discredit both you and the organisation.
- It is common for individual organisations/charities to have specific fundraising guidelines that must be followed by all fundraising volunteers. It is very important that you follow these, because as a fundraiser, you are a public representative of the organisation and so are responsible for upholding their reputation in the community.
- Legal rules and regulations stand in addition to these authorisation requirements. As an authorised fundraiser for an organisation, you are responsible for complying with the relevant best practice guidelines and fundraising legislation in your state. See the table below for the contact details of the state/territory office that is relevant to you.
- It is important that you are aware that public spaces are heavily regulated. If you are planning on undertaking a fundraising activity in a public space—such as a sausage sizzle, raffle or a trivia night—be sure to seek advice from your local council for any necessary permissions, licencing requirements, trading standards and health and safety issues.
Victoria: Office of Consumer Affairs; contact no. 1300 135 452;
http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au
NSW: Dept of Gaming and Racing (NSW); contact no. (02) 9995 0666;
http://www.dgr.nsw.gov.au
Queensland: Office of Fair Trading (QLD); contact no.
13 13 04;
http://www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au/
Western Australia:Dept of Consumer and Employment Protection; contact no. (08) 9282 0832;
http://www.docep.wa.gov.au
South Australia: Lotteries and Gaming Division (SA); contact no. (08) 8204 9888;
http://www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au
Tasmania: Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading; contact no. (03) 6233 4567;
http://www.consumer.tas.gov.au
ACT: Business Names and Assoc. (ACT); contact no. (02) 6207 0435
Northern Territory:Dept of Industry and Business
Registrar of Associations (NT); contact no. (08) 9846 9530
Nationwide tax deductibility and gst questions: Australian Taxation Office;
http://www.ato.gov.au
