Non-Profit Fact Sheets

What is board meeting software?

Board meeting software (also known as board portal software) is a specialised type of application built for the specific purpose of improving an organisations governance and board meetings. This improvement is typically achieved through the software streamlining the administrative tasks a board of directors and/or it’s support staff must undertake. Board meeting software can also be used to improve many other types of meetings at board and executive level in your organisation including: committee meetings, advisory board meetings, executive team meetings, subcommittee meetings and board task force meetings.

Who regulates the governance of Not-for-Profits in Australia?

The administration of NFPs is a complex business in Australia. Whether an organisation is regulated by a state-based or Commonwealth body will largely depend on its legal structure, but certain organisations may face additional regulation based on their activities, for example if they are a charity or part of a highly regulated sector such as aged care. Consequently, dozens of statutory bodies are involved in the regulation of the governance of NFPs across the country and it can be difficult to ensure your board is meeting all of its necessary requirements and importantly to know where to seek advice if something goes wrong.

What are the different legal structures of non-profit organisations in Australia?

When establishing a non-profit organisation, founders can choose from a large range of legal structures. An organisation’s legal structure will determine the types of activities it is legally able to carry out and which government bodies it is required to seek registration from or report to. In 2010 The Productivity Commission investigated the non-profit sector in The Contribution of the Not-for-Profit Sector. It considered the value of transitioning from the current legal structuring of non-profit organisations to a single legal form in order to prevent confusion between different forms and reduce the restrictive nature of some current forms.

What is an Organisation formed by Royal Charter or by Special Act of Parliament?

When establishing a non-profit organisation, founders can choose from a large range of legal forms. An organisation’s legal structure will determine the types of activities it is legally able to carry out and which government bodies it is required to seek registration from or report to. An organisation formed by royal charter or by special Act of parliament are two possible structures of a non-profit organisation. Find out more about the other types of legal structures.

What is the difference between a not-for-profit and a non-profit organisation?

There is no difference between a non-profit organisation and a not-for-profit organisation. These two terms are simply different ways of describing the same type of entity. There are several more terms that are sometimes used to describe these types of organisations and the sector they constitute, these include: for-purpose, third sector, community business, civil society, non-governmental, social-benefit. The abbreviations for these terms are also used, including: NFPs (not-for-profits), NGOs (non-governmental organisations), NPOs (non-profit organisations), NPIs (non-profit institutes).

What is a Charitable Trust?

When establishing a non-profit organisation, founders can choose from a large range of legal forms. An organisation’s legal structure will determine the types of activities it is legally able to carry out and which government bodies it is required to seek registration from or report to. A charitable trust is one possible structure of a non-profit organisation. Find out more about the other types of legal structures. Trusts Trusts are legal structures established to hold and distribute funds according to the legal requirements of the trust’s deed.