Register of Harm Prevention Charities
Changes taking effect 1 January 2024:
On 28 June 2023, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Refining and Improving our Tax System) Act 2023 became law. The amendments to the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 transfers the administrative responsibility of the Register of Harm Prevention Charities to the Australian Taxation Office effective 1 January 2024.
The legislation contains transitional provisions to ensure organisations currently endorsed as Deductible Gift Recipients under the Register of Harm Prevention Charities continue to be endorsed if they meet eligibility criteria.
Until 31 December 2023, the Register will continue to be administered by the Department of Social Services.
For more information on the transition, see:
Register of Harm Prevention Charities
- Introduction
- Register of Harm Prevention Charities Fact Sheet
- How to Apply
- Register of Harm Prevention Charitable Institutions
- Information for charitable institutions entered on the Register
Introduction
The Register of Harm Prevention Charities (the Register) is to assist charitable institutions, whose principal activity is to promote the prevention or the control of behaviour that is harmful or abusive to human beings, to obtain financial support from the community by providing a tax incentive mechanism for the community to donate to those charities. Behaviour that is harmful or abusive means one or more of the following:
- emotional abuse
- sexual abuse
- physical abuse
- suicide
- self harm
- substance abuse
- harmful gambling
These expressions are not defined by legislation and have their ordinary meaning.
The Register is maintained by the Secretary of the Department Social Services (DSS) in accordance with directions from the Minister for Social Services (the Minister) and the Treasurer or his delegate.
Legislative requirements for charities
An institution listed on the Register of Harm Prevention Charities must establish and maintain a public fund. From 25 September 2014, the public fund must be:
- a registered charity; or
- operated by a registered charity.
The institution will need to decide how it wants the public fund to be set up and managed. The link has more information.
How to Apply
- Download the Register of Harm Prevention Charities Guidelines 2017 for information, entry requirements and how to apply
- Complete the Application Form
- Download and complete the Public Fund Management Committee Nomination Form
- Contact the Department to check for any updates or changes on 1800 441 242
- Send completed application forms to:
Register of Harm Prevention Charities
Department of Social Services
GPO Box 9820
Canberra ACT 2601
For further information and other inquiries contact the:
Register of Harm Prevention Charities
Ph: 1800 441 242
Email: Harm Prevention Charities Register (harmpreventioncharitiesregister@dss.gov.au)
Register of Harm Prevention Charities
This is a list of the harm prevention charities and the public funds that have been entered on to the Register of Harm Prevention Charitable Institutions.
Information for charities entered on the Register
Statistical Return
Harm prevention charities listed on the Register must provide the Department with statistical information about donations and gifts made to the public fund each financial year, within four months of the end of that year. For more information see section 2.8 of the Register of Harm Prevention Charities Guidelines 2017.
To provide this information, download and complete the Statistical Return:
- Statistical Return Form 2022-23
- Statistical Return Form 2021-22
- Statistical Return Form 2020-21
- Statistical Return Form 2019-20
- Statistical Return Form 2018-19
- Statistical Return Form 2017-18
- Statistical Return Form 2016-17
and send it to:
Register of Harm Prevention Charities
Department of Social Services
GPO Box 9820
Canberra ACT 2601
Last updated: