Introduction
If you raise more than $15,000 in a financial year for a charitable purpose in NSW, you must have an authority to fundraise from NSW Fair Trading.
An authority lasts for up to 5 years and there is no limit to the number of fundraising appeals covered by a valid authority. You can apply to renew your authority either before it expires or up to 3 months after the expiry date.
The authority holder must provide written authority to people who volunteer or receive a wage, commission or fee to fundraise on their behalf towards the charitable purpose.
The Charitable Fundraising Guidelines provide information on:
- authority to fundraise
- conducting a fundraising appeal
- financial requirements
- record keeping
- reporting requirements
- engaging a commercial fundraiser (trader) and
- governance.
Before you start
Individuals, registered charities, organisations and traders that intend to fundraise for charitable purposes must comply with the responsibilities for fundraising.
Before you begin the application process, follow the steps to:
- determine whether you need an authority to fundraise
- establish your charitable purpose
- determine your organisation structure
- create a constitution or terms of appeal.
What you need
Once you're ready to begin your application you'll need:
- details of the proposed beneficiary (optional)
- details of a contact person
- details of the auditor (optional)
- copy of the terms of an appeal (if you're an individual)
- copy of the latest audited financial statements, if applicable.
Organisations also need to provide a:
- statement of objects setting out the purpose and range of activities
- constitution or trust deed and/or certificate of registration or corporation.
Payment
You do not have to pay a fee to apply for a charitable fundraising authority.
How to apply
- Select the 'Apply online' button.
- Follow the prompts to complete your application.
If you're unable to apply online:
- Download Charitable fundraising authority – application – PDF.
- Complete the form.
- Sign the declaration.
- Attach your supporting documents.
- Email your application to the address on the form.
Privacy
To apply for a charitable fundraising authority with NSW Fair Trading, you'll need to create or log in with a MyServiceNSW Account.
By logging in you consent to sharing your name and email address in your MyServiceNSW Account with NSW Fair Trading, a division of the Department of Customer Service.
The NSW Fair Trading privacy statement explains how your personal information will be handled once it is shared by Service NSW.
Contact
If you have any questions about your charitable fundraising authority application email NSW Fair Trading or call 13 32 20.