24/09/2025
The Australian Charities and Non-for-profits Commission (ACNC) has recently published information about its new regulatory focus area for 2025/26 – effective record-keeping.
The ACNC’s regulatory focus areas are informed in part by concerns received from the public as well as ACNC looking to areas of emerging risks, informed by data and stakeholder engagement.
ACNC has found that where record keeping is lacking in a charity, there are often other compliance issues at play.
What records are charities required to keep?
Charities have legal obligations under the Australian Charities and Non-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (Cth) (ACNC Act) to keep both financial and operational records.
Financial records should be an accurate record of how a charity receives and spends its money (or other assets).
They should explain the charity’s financial position and performance and be kept in a manner that allows for true financial statements to be prepared, audited, and reviewed (as applicable).
They can include things like, account information, tax invoices, assets registers and emails about finances.
Operational records are just as critical, they demonstrate how a charity’s activities align with its charitable status and purpose, as well as how the charity is meeting its charitable obligations, including under the ACNC Act.
Operational records can include things like operating policies and procedures, meeting minutes, strategic plans, contracts, as well as the charity’s governing document.
Each charity will have different record keeping obligations, depending on its size, complexity and operations.
What does this mean for your charity?
This new focus area highlights the importance ACNC places on effective record keeping.
Not only is record keeping necessary to ensure compliance with the ACNC Act, ACNC has also found that charities with strong record keeping practices supports charities governance and decision-making capacity and can directly impact the creditability and accountability of a charity’s operations.
Charities should take the opportunity to review how they maintain records and ensure they are maintaining an appropriate amount and type of records for their operations, purpose and activities.
Further assistance
To avoid noncompliance, ensure you consider your charity’s size, purpose and structure and what legal requirements are applicable to you. Guidance, checklists and examples of transparent record keeping process can be found on ACNC’s website.
Griffin Legal has extensive experience advising clients on reporting requirements. If you have any questions regarding your record keeping practices, our team is here to assist you.