- Parliament passes charitable collections reform Bill
- ACNC-registered charities deemed licensed in WA after notifying the Commissioner
- Reforms reduce administrative burden for cross-border fundraising
Charities operating across state and territory borders will find it easier to raise funds in Western Australia, with the Cook Government's nationally aligned reforms to charitable collections now passed by State Parliament.
The Charitable Collections Amendment Bill 2025 introduces a modernised licensing framework that enables mutual recognition of charities across Australia and aligns WA's regulatory approach with national fundraising principles.
These changes will reduce red-tape for charities fundraising online, in-person, and through national campaigns, freeing them to focus more on delivering crucial services to the WA community.
Any person or organisation collecting money or goods for charitable purposes in Western Australia must hold a licence. Currently, around 2,700 organisations are licensed, with approximately 85 per cent also registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
To streamline licensing, ACNC-registered entities will now be deemed licensed in WA upon notifying the Commissioner for Consumer Protection of their intention to collect in WA.
Another change enables nationally consistent conduct requirements and for licence conditions to be applied, modified, or revoked as necessary.
The Commissioner will also be empowered to enter into information-sharing agreements with the Federal Government to support harmonisation and compliance efforts.
The introduction of mandatory national fundraising principles will replace WA's Voluntary Code of Practice. It is proposed that these principles will come into effect in the first half of 2026.
Further information about the National Fundraising Principles can be found on the Consumer Protection website: https://www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au/publications/implementation-plan-national-fundraising-principles
As stated by Commerce Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"The Cook Labor Government is continuing to deliver on its priority to ensure all Western Australians can access the services they need by continuing to progress sensible and effective reforms.
"Charities play a vital role in supporting our communities, and these changes ensure they can focus more on delivering services and less on navigating complex regulatory frameworks.
"These reforms bring Western Australia in line with national standards and reflect our commitment to modern, transparent fundraising."
