The Charities Act and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) ensures that all charities meet a minimum standard of governance and that charities continue to be NFPs while pursuing their charitable purpose or purposes. They do this by administering the Charities Act 2013 and the ACNC Regulations 2013.
The ACNC also maintains an online registry of charities and makes the information on every registered charity freely available so that the public can make informed decisions about which charity they provide donations to, or volunteer for.
Your SLSC can receive access to charity tax concessions and other benefits if it is a registered charity with the ACNC.
Affiliated SLSCs should ensure they meet the requirements of the ACNC and the NSW Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 by documenting how fundraising goes back into the SLSC to fulfil its charitable purpose. This documentation includes mandatory annual reporting to the ACNC.
Refer to the ACNC website for more information about ongoing obligations to the ACNC.
The Child Protection (Working With Children) Act
SLSCs need to have good child-safe policies and practices to help reduce potential environmental risks and keep both children and young people safe in the SLS organisation. Refer to the Safeguarding Children, Young and Vulnerable People section of this guide for more information on meeting the SLSC’s legal requirements under this Act.
The Crown Management Act 2006
The SLSC should be demonstrating efficient management and administration for charitable purposes if conducting fundraising activities on crown land as per the Crown Management Act 2006. Refer to the Leasing Crown Land section of this guide for more information on meeting the SLSC’s legal requirements under this Act.
The NSW Associations Incorporations Act
In New South Wales, incorporated associations are governed under the Associated Incorporations Act 2009. Refer to the Incorporation of this guide for more information on meeting the SLSC’s legal requirements under this Act.
The NSW Charitable Fundraising Act
As a separate legal entity (a person) the SLSC must meet its legal obligations when conducting fundraising appeals for charitable purposes in NSW. Refer to the Fundraising section of this Club Guide for more information on meeting the SLSC’s legal requirements under this Act. SLSCC should hold a Charitable Fundraising Number (CFN). It is essential clubs adhere to the Act’s requirements to ensure its CFN is not jeopardised.
The WHS Act 2011
The Australian WHS Act 2011 sets the requirements to ensure the health and safety of everyone in Australia. You need to be familiar with it to understand your obligations and safety requirements. The objective of the WHS Act 2011 is to:
- Improve efficiency for regulatory agencies
- Improve safety outcomes in workplaces
- Protect the health and safety of workers (both volunteer and paid)
- Reduce compliance costs for business.
Refer to the Work Health and Safety section of this guide for more information to meet the SLSC’s legal requirements under this Act.