One-off charitable appeals

Organisations and individuals can fundraise for a charitable purpose.

A charitable purpose is when you supply any of the following to a person in distress:

  • help
  • aid
  • relief
  • support
  • care
  • housing
  • education
  • instruction.

A person may be in distress because of:

  • the death or disability of another person upon whom they are dependant
  • disease or sickness
  • age
  • physical or mental infirmity
  • poverty
  • unemployment
  • a natural disaster or other emergency.

Sanction for a one-off appeal

We must give approval before you can fundraise. It is an offence to fundraise in Queensland without our approval.

If you want to fundraise for a charitable or community purpose on a one-off basis, you need to apply for a ‘sanction’. A sanction is your permit to fundraise.

Eligibility

We can authorise a group of individuals or an association to conduct the charitable appeal.

The appeal must be for a duration of less than 6 months unless we agree to a longer term.

The funds must be donated during or at the end of the appeal and used for the purpose they were raised.

To be sanctioned for a one-off appeal, you must:

  • name at least three promoters, not related to each other or the beneficiary, who will conduct the appeal
  • have the promoters sign a letter saying they are aware they need to submit audited financial statements within four weeks of the appeal ending
  • choose and name a charity that will receive any donations not able to be used for the purpose of the appeal
  • open a bank account in the name of the appeal (at least two people not related to each other or the beneficiary must operate this account).

Lodgement

Download the application form.

Attach:

  • a statement explaining the reason for the appeal
  • evidence of the need for the appeal (for example, if the appeal is for a person with a medical condition, a statement from the beneficiary's doctor)
  • where the beneficiary is a person or association, a letter signed by the beneficiary (or legal representative) stating that they will accept the appeal proceeds.

There is no fee to lodge your application.

Office of Fair Trading

Go back to Office of Fair Trading home.

Charities and non-profits' guide to Australian Consumer Law

Read the guide to Australian Consumer Law for fundraising and other activities of charities, not-for-profits and fundraisers.