Charitable Collections Regulations 1947

In this code of conduct —

A collector does not profit from a collection merely because in another capacity the collector is entitled to be paid by the charitable organisation that authorised the collection.

A charitable organisation must ensure its collectors —

always explain in a way that is appropriate for the audience the charitable purpose for which the collection is made and how funds or contributions raised will be applied; and

are always clearly and individually identifiable by the public, including by —

displaying identification that contains the collector’s name and states whether they are a volunteer, employee, or acting in some other capacity for the charitable organisation or a commercial collector; and

providing the name and contact details of the charitable organisation or commercial collector (as the case requires);

keep and retain collection records that can be easily read and understood; and

always acknowledge and comply with the following —

a refusal to give money or goods;

a request not to receive future solicitations, including marketing and promotional materials;

a request to be contacted at a more convenient time or by a different means;

a request to limit the number, type or frequency of solicitations;

never without the written authorisation of the Commissioner conduct a door‑to‑door or telephone collection during the following times —

on a weekend — before 9 am or after 5 pm;

on a weekday and door‑to‑door — before 9 am or after 6 pm;

on a weekday and by telephone — before 9 am or after 8 pm;

on a public holiday unless the public holiday is closely connected with the charitable purpose for which the collection is made;

never mislead, deceive or knowingly use false or inaccurate information when collecting; and

never place undue or unreasonable pressure on a person when collecting or act unconscionably in any way to obtain money or goods for the charitable purpose; and

never exploit the trust, lack of knowledge, lack of capacity, apparent need for care and support or vulnerable circumstances of any person giving money or goods; and

always make it clear whether giving money or goods is a one‑off or a recurring contribution and clearly explain how to end a recurring contribution; and

in the case of a person who is or collects for a commercial collector — never accept money or goods without first explaining —

that the person is or collects for a commercial collector that profits from the collection; and

how the person is paid.

At all times, a charitable organisation must —

conduct all reasonable due diligence when engaging third parties as collectors; and

keep and retain collection records; and

take all reasonable measures to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of collectors employed or directly engaged by the charitable organisation, as well as members of the public, when collecting; and

establish and maintain a complaints process that allows for proper investigation and redress of complaints that may be made by the public relating to a collection made by or on behalf of the charitable organisation; and

encourage a person with concerns about a collection made by or on behalf of the charitable organisation to contact the charitable organisation; and

ensure information covered by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) is collected, used and managed in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles to the extent required under that Act; and

ensure remuneration to commercial collectors engaged to make a collection for the charitable organisation is not excessive when compared to money or goods received for the charitable purpose for which the collection is made.