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 the register for charities approved 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 principle 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 to the Collections for Charities Act (pdf, 177.0 KB)