Anyone who asks a member of the public to make a donation for a charitable purpose in Tasmania must apply to get approval. This includes charities, marketing organisations, incorporated and non-incorporated bodies, religious organisations and individuals.
- Applying for approval is free
- It is an offence to collect without the proper approval
How to apply and get approval to collect for a charity
There are three applications forms available:
- Organisation or corporation based outside Tasmania
- Complete an Application to collect charitable donations - organisations or corporations outside Tasmania (Form 1) (pdf, 232.0 KB)
- You need a National Police Check (external link) (dated within the previous 3 months) if the Public Officer or Contact Officer has been convicted of a criminal offence in the past 5 years
- Non-incorporated group or association in Tasmania
- Complete an Application to collect charitable donations - Non-incorporated association or community group in Tasmania (Form 2) (pdf, 230.0 KB)
- You need a National Police check (external link) (dated within the previous 3 months) if the Public Officer or any member of the Executive has been convicted of a criminal offence in the past 5 years
- Individual collecting for themselves (not on behalf of a charity)
- Complete an Application to collect charitable donations - Individual applicant (Form 3) (pdf, 218.0 KB)
- You need a National Police Check (external link) (dated within the previous 3 months)
Lodging your documents
- You can lodge all documents by:
- Mail - Consumer, Building and Occupational Services, PO Box 56, Rosny Park TAS 7018
- Email - registration.services@justice.tas.gov.au
Search for charities register
Search now for a charity registered to collect donations in Tasmania
Incorporated Associations and companies registered in Tasmania are not included in this list.
What is 'collecting' for a charity?
Collecting for a charitable purpose means any request for a donation made:
- in a public place such as a street corner or hotel
- door-to-door
- in a newspaper advertisement
- by telephone, fax, post, email or internet
- by radio or television.
A charitable purpose includes:
- any benevolent, philanthropic or patriotic purpose
- any purpose for the protection of the environment or the welfare of animals
- the supply of help, aid, relief, support, care, housing or education to any person or animal in distress.
The Act does not apply to:
- the sale of goods or services such as a chocolate fundraiser
- a request for renewal of membership of an organisation
- an appeal by an organisation to its membership such as a cricket club or hobby group
- an appeal within premises that are used by a club or religious organisation such as a collection plate
- an appeal to a Commonwealth, State or Local Authority
- selling raffle tickets
- an organisation which is incorporated in Tasmania
- a corporation whose principal office is located in Tasmania.
Related information
- Collections for Charities Act 2001 (external link) - contains rules for the conduct of charities and for the use of money, goods or services donated or bequeathed
- Information Guide - Collecting for charities in Tasmania (pdf, 124.3 KB)