The holiday season is over, everyone’s back at their desks and we’ve already completed the first month of 2019. It can be scary how time flies.

As with all years in recent times 2018 was a busy year for charities and other not-for-profits and with the start of the new year we thought this was a good opportunity for us to look at what may be in store for charities and not-for-profits during 2019.

We have summarised some of the changes and issues that will confront the sector this year.

  • The ACNC review – we expect the Government to provide its response to the review in the first half of this year.
  • The “in Australia” draft ATO Ruling will be finalised.
  • The ACNC External Conduct Standards will commence on 1 July 2019 (unless disallowed by Parliament).
  • DGR reforms are slated to come into effect from 1 July 2019: with non-government organisations with DGR status to be registered as charities with the ACNC, and the ACNC to administer the registration of harm prevention charities, cultural organisations and overseas aid funds.
  • The federal election is likely to bring up a number of issues which may impact upon charities and not-for-profits. Already the Labor Party platform denying cash refunds for excess dividend imputation credits may have an impact upon tax exempt entities.
  • Will this be the year that there is some significant fundraising reform? Perhaps the Australian Consumer Law may be expanded to include charitable fundraising? This would provide consistency in approach throughout all jurisdictions in Australia and a welcome relief from administrative burdens to NFPs across the country.
  • Meanwhile the NSW Government is busy drafting new charitable fundraising guidelines for public consultation later this year.
  • The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality & Safety is underway and it will no doubt impact significantly on a number of charity and not-for-profit aged care providers, (click here to read our Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety brochure).
  • The National Redress Scheme is well underway after a slow start. We can expect the number of claims to increase as more organisations agree to enter the Scheme.
  • The new FBT Ruling will come into effect.
  • The legislative package containing the Government’s response to the Ruddock Religious Freedom Review should be tabled in Parliament.
  • Hopefully there will be further state or territory take-up of ACNC reporting and further cutting of red tape.

These are just some of the things that may come across our desk in the next 12 months … and of course there’s always the unknown!

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need assistance in navigating your way through any of these changes in the coming year.