Fundraiser registration in Victoria
Fundraising in Victoria requires registration with Consumer Affairs Victoria under the Fundraising Appeals Act 1998, unless exempt. Who must register and how.
Who must comply
Any person or organisation conducting a fundraising appeal in Victoria. Registration is not required if the organisation raises less than $20,000 gross in a financial year, is not paid for fundraising and uses only unpaid volunteers (it must still follow the Act), or is an exempt body such as a government or registered non-government school, university or TAFE, public hospital, religious body authorised to marry, registered political party or trade union, or Cancer Council Victoria.
What triggers it
Starting a fundraising appeal in Victoria, or exceeding $20,000 gross fundraising in a financial year, or paying people to fundraise. Raffles and bingo permitted under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, membership fees, internal member appeals, workplace collections for an employee, government grants, commercial sponsorships and memorial gifts are outside the Act.
When due
Apply at least 28 days before fundraising begins (urgent applications available for emergency appeals); renew in myCAV at least 28 days before the three-year registration expires; finalise appeal accounts within 3 months of the appeal ending (annually for appeals over one year); make accounts available for public inspection within 21 days of a request; notify a new contact person within 7 days.
Evidence required
myCAV registration and any conditions; criminal record and personal insolvency declarations; overseas distribution verification letters where relevant; appeal records kept so they can be conveniently audited; finalised accounts summarising income and expenditure; annual statements; records stored in Victoria for 3 years after the appeal ends; collector identification badges; auditor's report if requested by the Director.
Max penalty
Consumer Affairs Victoria can issue infringement notices for breaches of the Fundraising Act 1998, for example 2.5 penalty units for collectors not wearing identification or paid canvassers not disclosing they are paid, and 12.5 penalty units for failing to keep auditable records, finalise accounts within 3 months, store records in Victoria or provide a requested auditor's report. The Victorian penalty unit is $209.10 for 2026-27. A court can impose higher maximum penalties, and fundraising without registration when required is not permitted
Who must comply with this? The applicability test by industry, business structure and size.
Summary
Under the Fundraising Act 1998 (Vic), any person or organisation, including a business, that collects money or goods for a beneficiary, cause or thing rather than solely for its own profit must register as a fundraiser with Consumer Affairs Victoria unless exempt. Fundraising includes doorknock, telephone and intersection collections, events such as golf days and trivia nights, auctions, clothing bins, opportunity shops and sales where part of the price is donated. Registration is lodged in myCAV at least 28 days before fundraising starts, requires criminal record and insolvency declarations from applicants, directors, appeal managers and associates, a Victorian principal place of business, and is free. It normally lasts three years. Registered fundraisers must keep records that can be conveniently audited, finalise appeal accounts within 3 months, store records in Victoria for 3 years and lodge annual statements. ACNC-registered charities benefit from reduced reporting and renewal requirements. Even exempt fundraisers must ensure collectors display identification and collection receptacles are secure.
Enforced by
Source legislation
Entity types
Topics
Related
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Reading
Frequently asked questions
- Who must comply with Fundraiser registration in Victoria?
- Any person or organisation conducting a fundraising appeal in Victoria. Registration is not required if the organisation raises less than $20,000 gross in a financial year, is not paid for fundraising and uses only unpaid volunteers (it must still follow the Act), or is an exempt body such as a government or registered non-government school, university or TAFE, public hospital, religious body authorised to marry, registered political party or trade union, or Cancer Council Victoria.
- What triggers Fundraiser registration in Victoria?
- Starting a fundraising appeal in Victoria, or exceeding $20,000 gross fundraising in a financial year, or paying people to fundraise. Raffles and bingo permitted under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, membership fees, internal member appeals, workplace collections for an employee, government grants, commercial sponsorships and memorial gifts are outside the Act.
- When is Fundraiser registration in Victoria due?
- Apply at least 28 days before fundraising begins (urgent applications available for emergency appeals); renew in myCAV at least 28 days before the three-year registration expires; finalise appeal accounts within 3 months of the appeal ending (annually for appeals over one year); make accounts available for public inspection within 21 days of a request; notify a new contact person within 7 days.
- What is the maximum penalty for Fundraiser registration in Victoria?
- Consumer Affairs Victoria can issue infringement notices for breaches of the Fundraising Act 1998, for example 2.5 penalty units for collectors not wearing identification or paid canvassers not disclosing they are paid, and 12.5 penalty units for failing to keep auditable records, finalise accounts within 3 months, store records in Victoria or provide a requested auditor's report. The Victorian penalty unit is $209.10 for 2026-27. A court can impose higher maximum penalties, and fundraising without registration when required is not permitted
- What evidence is required for Fundraiser registration in Victoria?
- myCAV registration and any conditions; criminal record and personal insolvency declarations; overseas distribution verification letters where relevant; appeal records kept so they can be conveniently audited; finalised accounts summarising income and expenditure; annual statements; records stored in Victoria for 3 years after the appeal ends; collector identification badges; auditor's report if requested by the Director.
Source: https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/clubs-and-fundraising/fundraisers. Rules Mate is not a law firm. Always verify against the live regulator source before acting.