Do I need an authority to fundraise?

Only if you raise more than $10,000 per financial year and/or have paid staff.

Even if you raise more than $10,000 or have staff you still don't need to apply if you are the one of following kinds of organisations, all of which are exempt either by Ministerial exemption or by Section 16 of the Fundraising Appeals Act 1988 :

• A State school, council or registered school under the Education Act 1958, and some kindergartens;
• A university, TAFE College or other tertiary educational institution;
• A hospital or other registered health agency funded by the state government;
• A religious organisation (with authority to marry people);
• A registered political party; registered trade union and registered workplace relations or industrial relations organisation;
• A kindergarten or other children's services that provides a pre-school program for four-year-olds that is funded by the Department of Human Services, and
• The Anti Cancer Council.

How do I apply for an authority to fundraise?

You must complete an Application for Fundraiser Registration form.

No fee is required.

If you require assistance with filling out the form, you can contact Consumer Affairs on 1300 55 81 81. Alternatively, you can write to, or visit, Victorian Consumer & Business Centre, 113 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, Victoria.

Upon applying, you will receive an acknowledgement letter from Consumer Affairs Victoria stating the date your application was received.

You will be deemed to be registered and you can proceed with your fundraising appeal(s) if you do not receive a further response from Consumer Affairs Victoria within 21 days of the date of receipt of your application.

Other relevant fundraising information:

The Fundraising Appeals Act 1998 ensures fundraisers who seek donations from the public compile and present public information about their appeal.

The following list of activities are not fundraising events subject to the Fundraising Appeals Act 1988:

• Raffles, lotteries or other activities permitted under the Gaming Act No 2 1997. A separate permit is required to conduct a raffle or bingo. Contact the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation
• Asking a person to become a member of an organisation;
• Asking for property bequests;
• Memorial gifts;
• Giving to a patriotic fund;
• Fundraising in the workplace for the benefit of an employee or his or her close family;
• Sponsorships from government or commercial organisations such as corporations, partnerships or trusts which are permitted to donate money or benefit to charity; and
• A fundraising event internal to an organisation and targeted at past and present members and their relatives.

How can I collect donations through Our Community's Australian Giving Centre?

Once you have obtained your fundraising license, you can expand your fundraising efforts by using Our Community's online donations service which will allow you to take credit card donations 7 days a week, 24 hours per day. Along with collecting donations via the internet, you will also be able to promote donating by phone, fax, post and leaving a bequest to your organisation.

This donations facility is a commission free service offered by Our Community - we take NO commission or fees for this service. The only online donations fees that will be incurred by you are the credit card fees and a bank transaction fee.

You also own all your data - Our Community does not use any of the donor details in any way and our systems have secure encryption for donor protection.

For further information, visit the Australian Giving Centre.

And for direct Internet links to more fundraising forms your group may need, follow this link to Our Community's Best of Community page.