You need a licence to collect money or goods for a charitable purpose in Western Australia.
Your organisation must:
- have a WA charitable collections licence; or
- qualify for a deemed licence (being taken to have a licence).
Fundraising and collecting
Fundraising means any activity that raises money or collects goods for a cause. Fundraising includes:
- donations (online or in person)
- selling items where proceeds go to a cause
- fundraising events or appeals
- door‑to‑door or telephone appeals.
Examples:
- selling raffle tickets
- running a bake sale
- collecting donations online
- asking people to donate to a cause
- selling merchandise to support a group.
Fundraising for a charitable purpose needs a licence.
Charitable purpose
A charitable collection is when you ask for money or goods and say (or suggest) they will be used for a charitable purpose.
A charitable purpose includes:
- helping people who are sick, poor, unemployed or in need
- supporting veterans or people who are affected by war
- protecting animals or the environment
- supporting hospitals, health services or community welfare
- other benevolent, philanthropic or patriotic purpose.
When you need a licence
You will need a licence to collect money or goods from the public for a charitable purpose. This includes:
- asking for money from the public (both online and in person)
- raising money from selling of goods such as badges, tokens, flowers or food
- raising funds from running events or functions, such as quiz nights
- collecting donated goods such as clothing, food and other items from the public. For example, donated food hampers to needy people, clothing bin collections, op-shops.
When you don’t need a licence
You usually don’t need a licence if:
- you only collect from members of your own organisation
- you are collecting for yourself, your child or dependent family member
- the money or goods do not come from the public donations. For example government and LotteryWest grants, membership fees and subscriptions or gaming machines
- the activity is not for a charitable purpose, such as fundraising for sporting activities
- you are collecting under the authority of an already licensed organisation.
Schools, kindergartens, sporting activities and religious organisations
Clubs, sporting groups and religious organisations generally do not need a licence to fundraise for their own activities.
You may still need a licence to fundraise if the main purpose of your organisation is charitable.
Examples:
- a social group whose activities support people who are disadvantaged or socially isolated
- a recreational organisation existing mainly to support people with a disability or elderly people
Collections for people who are terminally ill or deceased
Consumer Protection recognises some collections are started to help:
- a person who is terminally ill
- pay funeral costs
- return a person's body home (repatriation)
- support a bereaved family.
Consumer Protection will usually not take action if these collections are not conducted under a licence. This is due to their personal and sensitive nature.
Action may be taken if there is a genuine complaint about money not being used for the purpose people were told it would be used for.
Important:
The purpose of the fundraising matters, not the type of organisation or activity.
How to tell if I need a licence
1. Are you asking the public for money or goods?
If no, you do not need a licence.
If yes, go to question 2.
2. Are you using the money or goods for a charitable purpose?
If no, you do not need a charitable collection licence.
If yes, go to question 3.
3. Are you an organisation or individual?
Organisations need to hold a licence. See to How to get a licence below.
Individuals cannot obtain a licence in their name. You must:
- collect under the authority of an organisation already licensed, and
- have the organisation’s permission to collect on its behalf.
You must not start collecting until you have permission from a licensed organisation.
How to get a licence
ACNC registered organisations
A licence can be deemed for your organisation upon notifying Consumer Protection of your intention to collect in Western Australia.
Organisations not registered with ACNC
You can apply for a WA charitable collections licence for your organisation.
Individuals or unincorporated groups
Licences are only granted to body corporates.
Individuals or unincorporated groups should consider partnering with an existing licence holder.
You can check with the Charities branch if you are unsure if you need a licence or which option applies to you.
Need to notify us or need help?
Charitable collections branch
Ph: 1300 30 40 54
Email: charities@lgirs.wa.gov.au