The Annual Information Statement - Easy as 1, 2, 3 for charities.

Members of the public can now search the ACNC Register by categories such as name, location and beneficiary. As awareness and use of the ACNC Register grows, it will be increasingly important for charities to ensure the information on their listing is up to date.

By completing the 2013 AIS, charities will automatically be updating their ACNC Register listing with first hand information about the good work they do, and how their work helps the community.

If charities are concerned about certain sensitive information being published on the ACNC Register, they are able to apply to the ACNC to have this withheld.

Who needs to complete an AIS?

Registered charities in Australia are required by the ACNC Act to complete an AIS each year. To check if your charity is registered, visit acnc.gov.au/findacharity and type in your legal name or Australian Business Number (ABN). If your charity doesn’t appear, then you are likely not a registered charity and do not need to complete an AIS. If you're unsure, email us at advice@acnc.gov.au or call 13 ACNC (13 2262).

Registered charities that are also registered with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) do not need to submit the 2013 AIS.

When is the 2013 AIS due?

The due date depends on your reporting period. Please ensure you do not start filling in your 2013 AIS until your reporting period is over.

This means:

• If your charity runs on a regular financial year, 1 July to 30 June, your reporting period ended on 30 June and you can go ahead and submit your 2013 AIS. Your deadline for completing the 2013 AIS is 31 December 2013.

• If your charity runs on a calendar year, 1 January to 31 December, you must wait until after 31 December 2013 to submit your 2013 AIS. Your deadline for completing the 2013 AIS is 30 June 2014.

• If your charity runs on a 1 May to 30 April financial year, you will need to wait until after 30 April 2014 to submit your 2013 AIS. Your deadline in this instance is 31 October 2014.

Visit acnc.gov.au/SAP for more information.

How to complete the 2013 AIS

1.      Check the mail for a letter from the ACNC.

The ACNC wrote to all registered charities to provide them with their user name (their ABN) and their unique password. If you have not received this letter, please contact the ACNC.

2.      Go to acnc.gov.au/2013AIS.

You can complete the 2013 AIS online.

3.      Complete and submit the online form.

The questions ask charities about their activities, and how their work helped the community. Charities do not need to provide any financial information in 2013.

Help is available:

The ACNC has published guidance to help charities complete the 2013 AIS. These tools are available at acnc.gov.au/2013AIS.

Charities can also contact the ACNC by emailing advice@acnc.gov.au, or calling 13 ACNC (13 2262) between 8.00am and 7.00pm AEST.

The ACNC also provides an interpreter service via 13 14 50 as well as the National Relay Service, TTY (13 36 77) and speech–to–relay (1300 555 727).

Good wishes

Susan Pascoe AM

Commissioner

ACNC