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Charity reporting tiers: small, medium, and large

In short

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission groups registered charities into small, medium, and large tiers based on annual revenue. Each tier carries different Annual Information Statement and financial reporting obligations, with larger charities facing more detailed requirements such as reviewed or audited financial statements. The revenue bands that set the tiers are determined by the ACNC and have changed over time, so charities should confirm the current bands.

Charity reporting tiers: small, medium, and large

Registered charities in Australia report to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, and the extent of what they must report depends on their size. The ACNC groups charities into three tiers, small, medium, and large, based on annual revenue, and the reporting obligations increase with size. This guide explains how the tiers work and what differs between them. It is general information, and charities should confirm the current requirements with the ACNC, because details have changed over time.

How charities are sized

The ACNC determines a charity's tier by reference to its annual revenue. The specific revenue bands that separate small, medium, and large charities are set by the ACNC and have been adjusted over time, so this guide does not state fixed dollar figures. The important point for boards is that size is a question of revenue, that the thresholds can change, and that a charity should check the current bands rather than rely on a figure remembered from previous years. Because revenue can move a charity from one tier to another, the board should review its tier as part of its annual reporting cycle.

The Annual Information Statement

All registered charities, regardless of tier, must lodge an Annual Information Statement with the ACNC each reporting period. The statement asks about the charity's activities, governance, and finances. The depth of financial information requested tends to increase with size, so a small charity provides less detailed financial information than a medium or large charity. The Annual Information Statement is the central reporting obligation, and lodging it on time keeps the charity in good standing on the ACNC register.

Financial reporting by tier

Beyond the Annual Information Statement, financial reporting obligations differ by tier. Broadly, small charities have the lightest requirements and generally are not required to submit a financial report to the ACNC. Medium charities are generally required to submit a financial report that is either reviewed or audited. Large charities are generally required to submit an audited financial report. The exact requirements, including the form of assurance and any concessions, are set by the ACNC, so charities should confirm what applies to their tier and circumstances for the relevant period.

Why the tier matters for governance

A charity's tier affects cost, timing, and the work the board needs to plan for. A move up a tier may mean arranging a review or an audit, which takes lead time and a suitably qualified practitioner. Knowing the tier early in the year lets the board budget for assurance, prepare records to the required standard, and avoid a last-minute scramble before the lodgement deadline. The tier also shapes how detailed the financial information in the Annual Information Statement needs to be. Treating the tier as a planning input, rather than a year-end discovery, makes reporting smoother.

Staying on top of reporting

Charities can keep reporting manageable by tracking revenue through the year so the tier is known early, confirming the current ACNC bands and requirements each period, keeping governance and financial records in order as they go, and noting the lodgement deadline. Where a review or audit is required, engaging the practitioner well ahead of the deadline avoids pressure. Maintaining registers such as a related party register throughout the year also feeds directly into the information the Annual Information Statement requires.

How Quorum helps

Cohiva Quorum helps the board keep governance records and decisions in order through the year, track reporting deadlines, and maintain the registers that feed into the Annual Information Statement. By keeping a complete and dated record, it reduces the year-end effort of assembling what the ACNC requires for the charity's tier. Quorum helps you comply and supports your obligations; the entity and its officers remain responsible for compliance.

Part of the Cohiva platform

Cohiva Quorum is part of the Cohiva platform at https://www.cohiva.com. When a resolution approving the financial report or an engagement letter needs signing, you can send it through Cohiva Sign for e-signatures so the signed document flows back into the minute book.

Frequently asked questions

How does the ACNC decide a charity's tier?
The ACNC groups charities into small, medium, and large tiers based on annual revenue. The revenue bands are set by the ACNC and have changed over time, so charities should confirm the current bands.
Do all charities have to lodge an Annual Information Statement?
Yes. All registered charities must lodge an Annual Information Statement each reporting period, though the depth of financial information requested increases with size.
What financial reporting applies at each tier?
Broadly, small charities generally are not required to submit a financial report, medium charities generally submit a reviewed or audited report, and large charities generally submit an audited report, as set by the ACNC.
Why should a board know its charity's tier early?
Knowing the tier early lets the board budget for any review or audit, prepare records to the required standard, and meet the lodgement deadline without a last-minute scramble.
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