Do I need an authority to fundraise?

Yes, if you are any organisation that collects money or goods from the public for:

• the relief of the diseased, sick, infirm, incurable, poor, destitute, helpless or unemployed persons or their dependants;
• the relief of distress occasioned by war and the support of persons who have been members of the armed forces;
• the support of hospitals, infant health centres, schools, kindergartens and other activities of a social or welfare character; or
• any benevolent philanthropic or patriotic purpose.

You do not need one if you are the following:

• An organisation that collects and receives money from the public for non charitable purposes, such as for sporting clubs, conservation, environmental, animal welfare and schools or kindergartens that operate their own fund raising events.
• Any organisation that raises money for charitable purposes but does not collect from the public.

There is no fee required for a license.

How do I apply for an authority to fundraise?

To obtain a licence you will need to lodge with the Administrative Officer, Charitable Collections Advisory Committee. An application form is available here.

For further information:

Administrative Officer, Charitable Collections
Advisory Committee,
Department of Commerce,
219 St Georges Tce, Perth Western Australia.

Telephone: +61 8 9282 0832
Facsimile: +61 8 9282 0856
Email:consumer@commerce.wa.gov.au
Webpage: www.commerce.wa.gov.au/ConsumerProtection/Content/Business/Charities/index.htm

Different licences are required for other fundraising activities.

Raffles:

All inquiries regarding raffles should be directed to the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor on 08 9425 1888. Application forms vary depending on the activity that you are undertaking - all can be downloaded here.

Street Collections:

Any organisation wanting to conduct a street collection in the Perth metropolitan area, whether or not licensed, under the Charitable Collections Act 1946, must have a separate street collection permit.

Street collections conducted under the Street Collections (Regulations) Act 1940 must be held on a Friday unless otherwise approved by the Minister.

Application forms for street collections are available from:

Administrative Officer,
Charitable Collections Advisory Committee,
Department of Commerce
219 St Georges Tce Perth
Telephone 08 9282 0832.
Download an Application for a street appeal within the Perth Metropolitan area. The form is available here.

Other relevant fundraising information

The relevant legislation for WA is the Charitable Collections Act 1946.

How can I collect donations through GiveNow.com.au?

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 the Our Community Foundation - 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.

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

For further information, visit www.GiveNow.com.au.

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