On this page
The National Fundraising Principles are a set of 16 nationally consistent conduct requirements agreed to by the Commonwealth, state, and territory governments in February 2023.
The purpose of these principles is to streamline fundraising rules across Australia, reducing administrative work for charitable organisations and making it easier for them to comply with different state-based regimes.
Implementation of the National Fundraising Principles
While these principles were agreed nationally, they must be implemented individually by each state and territory.
As of early 2026, implementation is ongoing:
- ACT – the National Fundraising Principles apply (through the Charitable Collections (National Fundraising Principles) Determination 2024) to all organisations holding an ACT charitable collections licence (including ACNC registered entities with a deemed licence)
- New South Wales – the National Fundraising Principles apply (from 1 April 2026) to authority holders (including but not limited to ACNC charities)
- Northern Territory – the National Fundraising Principles do not apply (there no charitable fundraising law in the NT)
- Queensland – the National Fundraising Principles do not apply yet (although the Queensland government has announced that it plans to adopt the Principles)
- South Australia – the National Fundraising Principles apply to any licensed fundraiser (including but not limited to ACNC charities). South Australia implemented the principles through its Charities Code of Practice, which applies to all collectors authorised under the Collections for Charitable Purposes Act 1939 (SA).
- Tasmania – the National Fundraising Principles do not apply
- Victoria – the National Fundraising Principles apply, but only to ‘deemed registered fundraisers’, being ACNC-registered charities. For fundraisers that are not ACNC registered, there are various other conduct obligations which apply under the Victorian fundraising laws.
- Western Australia – the National Fundraising Principles do not apply yet. Legislation was passed in December 2025 (Charitable Collections Amendment Act 2025) to include a section allowing a code of conduct to be binding on holders of fundraising licences (which is expected to include the National Fundraising Principles). However, the relevant part of the amending legislation has not yet started.
More information: For more information, see our guide to fundraising laws in Australia.
Our campaign to #FixFundraising
In early 2023, a significant step was taken towards simplifying fundraising regulations in Australia. State and Territory governments committed to adopting National Fundraising Principles, promising a more harmonised approach across the country. However, progress has been slow.
The content on this webpage was last updated in February 2023 and is not legal advice. See full disclaimer and copyright notice.
