Apply for an authority to fundraise
You need an authority to fundraise if you conduct a charitable fundraising appeal in NSW and expect to raise more than $15,000 in a year. Find out if you need an authority and how to apply for one.
Changes to the charitable fundraising laws start 1 April 2026
From 1 April 2026, charities registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) can use their registration to automatically satisfy NSW registration, reporting and record-keeping requirements.
All fundraising authority holders in NSW must comply with both the National Fundraising Principles and Standard Conditions.
You need an authority to fundraise more than $15,000 for a charitable purpose
If you raise over $15,000 in a financial year for a charitable purpose in NSW, you will need an authority to fundraise from NSW Fair Trading. If you raise $15,000 or less in a financial year, you do not need one.
An authority lasts for up to 5 years and there is no limit to the number of fundraising appeals covered by a valid authority.
Authority holders must comply with the:
- National Fundraising Principles
- NSW Standard Conditions, which operate to supplement the Principles.
More information about conditions for fundraisers is available in the Charitable Fundraising Guidelines.
When you do not need a fundraising authority
You do not need an authority if you:
- are crowdfunding for yourself or for the benefit of close relatives or friends and it is not for a charitable purpose
- represent a university or associated body, or a local council
- are a parents and citizens association of a government school
- are listed as a religious organisation recognised for the purposes of the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth)
- you appeal to or receive money from a local registered club outlined in the ClubGRANTS guidelines.
You must still keep good records as explained in the Record keeping section of the page 'Key responsibilities for fundraisers'.
If you expect to raise $15,000 or less
You do not need an authority to fundraise if you are running a purely volunteer-based fundraiser that will raise $15,000 or less in a financial year.
You must still keep good records as explained in the record keeping section of the page ‘Key responsibilities for fundraisers’.
If you’re not sure whether you will raise more than $15,000, you can apply for an authority before you start. Be aware that having an authority involves extra financial reporting responsibilities.
It is often easier to work with an existing charitable fundraiser that already holds an authority. If you choose to do this, it is important you have written authorisation from the organisation to hold the event or to fundraise on their behalf. Find out the benefits of working with an existing fundraiser.
If you expect to raise more than $15,000
You need an authority to fundraise if you raise over $15,000 in a financial year for a charitable purpose. However, there are some exceptions.
Registered charities
You do not need to apply for or renew a NSW fundraising authority if your organisation:
- is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC)
- has notified the ACNC that it intends to conduct a fundraising appeal in NSW.
Find out more on the page Registered charities as deemed fundraisers in NSW.
Traders (or commercial fundraisers)
If you do fundraising work on behalf of an authorised charitable fundraiser, you do not require an authority. You must have written authorisation to work on behalf of the authorised charitable fundraiser you are supporting.
Branches of an organisation with authority to fundraise
A branch of an organisation (such as a regional arm of an association) can use the parent organisation’s authority to fundraise if NSW Fair Trading has approved this. The organisation can add branches to the relevant section of the application when they apply for a fundraising authority.
If your branch is not already listed on the organisation’s authority to fundraise, your organisation must notify NSW Fair Trading of this change. They can do this by completing a change of details for an existing authority to fundraise.
Prepare to apply for an authority
Follow this step-by-step guide to preparing your application for an authority to fundraise.
You will need to establish your charitable purpose, decide on your organisation structure and have documentation that explains how the fundraising appeal will operate.
Once your fundraiser starts you can’t make any changes to these items, so it’s important to get them right from the start.
Establish your charitable purpose
When applying for an authority you must give information about your charitable purpose.
For there to be a charitable purpose, there must be an intention to provide a benefit to the public or a section of the public rather than to obtain a private benefit or advantage.
A charitable purpose is defined to include 'any benevolent, philanthropic, or patriotic purpose'. This could include the relief of financial hardship and other purposes that benefit the community, for example, disaster relief appeals.
The ACNC has a more detailed definition of what is a charitable purpose. For more information visit the ACNC website.
Be careful with the wording of your charitable purpose
The wording of your charitable purpose is legally binding and cannot be changed once the fundraising appeal is underway.
For example, when Celeste Barber created a fundraising appeal during the summer bushfires of 2019/20, the millions she raised could only go to the charitable purpose she described at the outset of her fundraising appeal. These donations could not be applied to any other purpose.
Determine your organisation structure
The application for an authority will ask for your organisation structure. There are different requirements for each structure.
If you are an organisation, you will need to state if you are a trust or an incorporated body such as an incorporated association, company or co-operative.
Once you declare your organisational structure, it cannot be changed during the fundraising appeal.
Organisations
If you are an organisation, you will need to state if you are a trust or an incorporated body such as an incorporated association, company or co-operative.
Individuals
If you are an individual, you may choose to become an incorporated association. This creates a separate entity which:
- offers protection from being sued
- affords limited liability
- offers the ability to enter into contracts.
Create a constitution or terms of appeal
Your fundraising appeal must tell members and donors how you will operate and manage the funds raised.
When preparing these documents, you may want to consider seeking professional assistance from lawyers or charitable fundraising bodies like FIA (Fundraising Institute Australia), PFRA (Public Funding Regulatory Association) or Justice Connect (not-for-profit legal assistance) when preparing these documents.
Organisations must have a ‘constitution’
The constitution is the governing document or ‘instruction manual’ of the organisation. It is a legal document that may include matters such as:
- charitable purpose - What is the fundraiser set up to do?
- powers - How will the fundraiser do those things?
- limits - Advise how the money raised cannot be given to its members.
- management - Who will run the fundraiser? How is this decided?
Individuals and unincorporated bodies should have a ‘terms of appeal’
If you are an individual or unincorporated body, consider setting up a 'terms of appeal'. The terms of appeal should be provided to donors before they make any donations.
A ‘terms of appeal’ should show your:
- charitable purpose - What is the fundraiser set up to do? Make sure the purpose of your appeal is clear, and donors know how their donations will be used. This is legally binding and can’t be changed once the fundraising has started.
- plan - How will this be achieved?
Apply for a fundraising authority
You can apply online, once you have:
- established your charitable purpose
- decided on your organisation structure
- prepared documentation that explains how the fundraising appeal will operate.
There is no fee to apply.
Contact NSW Fair Trading
If you have any enquiries about charitable fundraising applications, you can email Fair Trading or call 13 32 20.