Australian NGOs must be accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to be eligible for funding under the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
The accreditation process aims to provide the Department and the Australian public with confidence that the Australian Government is funding professional, well managed, community based organisations that are capable of delivering quality development outcomes.
There are more than 38,000 incorporated associations in Victoria. They are clubs or community groups, operating not-for-profit, whose members have decided to give their organisation a formal legal structure. You can recognise an incorporated association by the word ‘Incorporated’ or the abbreviation ‘Inc.’ after its name.
When a club or community group incorporates, it becomes a ‘legal person’ – that is, a legal entity that stays the same even if its members change. It can enter into contracts in its own name; for example, to borrow money or buy equipment. This protects the individual members of the association from legal liabilities.
Victorian incorporated associations are registered with Consumer Affairs Victoria under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012.