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Collecting for a charity

Identification and providing information

Collectors must wear identification and provide information. The information you must provide will vary depending on the method of collection.

Children and young collectors

  • Children under 12 years of age - may only ask for donations if they are under the immediate control of an adult person
  • Young people between 12 and 15 years of age - may only ask for donations if they are under the supervision of an adult
  • Persons 16 years of age or over - may ask for donations without supervision.

Methods for collecting for charities

There are several ways of collecting for charities:

Door knocking

  • You can ask for donations between
    • 9am and 8pm between 1 November and 31 January
    • 9am and 7pm between 1 February and 30 April
    • 9am and 5pm between 1 May and 31 August
    • 9am and 7pm between 1 September and 31 October
  • You must wear an identity card displaying:
    • their name
    • organisations name
    • location of the principal office
  • The purpose of the donation must be stated.

Telephone

  • The rules apply to anyone soliciting for a charity by telephone. This includes volunteers, employees of a charity and persons employed by a marketing business
  • Telephone marketing is allowed between 9am and 8pm on any day
  • The caller must state:
    • their name
    • the name of the organisation they represent
    • the state or territory in which the principal office is located.

Street collections

Anyone asking for donations in a public place must:

  • wear an identity card displaying:
    • their name
    • the name of the organisation they represent
    • the state or territory in which the organisations principal office is located
  • apply for approval through Consumer, Building and Occupational Services AND
  • apply approval through Tasmania Police. This type of collecting is regulated to avoid overlap between fundraising events. Apply to:
    • Tasmania Police
      State Community Policing Services
      GPO Box 308 
      HOBART TAS 7001 
      Phone: 131 444
      www.police.tas.gov.au

Soliciting through writing, electronic media or advertising

All written requests must include:

  • a statement of the purpose for the donation
  • the name of the organisation
  • the address of the principal office of the organisation
  • a contact telephone number for the organisation.