The Charities Act 2005 (Act) has been amended by the Charities Amendment Act 2023 (Amendment Act) which came into force on 5 July 2023.
There are three key dates on which changes come into force:
- 5 July 2023;
- 5 October 2023; and
- 5 July 2024.
The most significant changes to the operations of a charitable entity are those which come into effect on 5 October and are the focus of this summary.
Upcoming consultation
The DIA is currently consulting on updates to the Charities Act registration application and annual return forms, with the consultation period scheduled to close on 24 October 2023. The proposed forms and online feedback form are available at Charities Services | Consultation on form changes.
The proposed forms reflect the Amendment Act changes and charity financial reporting developments. They also seek to collect additional information from charities, including information regarding charities’ accumulated funds and matters relevant to charities’ eligibility to benefit from exemption from income tax and donation tax incentives.
This summary is intended to provide high-level information only and does not constitute advice. Please reach out to one of our experts if you require any assistance.
