Understanding Tax-Deductible Donations in Australia
When you choose to support a cause close to your heart, your generosity has two powerful impacts. First, it helps create real change in the community. Second, if the organisation is a registered charity with the correct accreditation, your donation may also be tax-deductible — meaning you can claim it as a deduction at tax time.
At Fierce Females, we are proud to be a Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) certified by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). This means all donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible. But what does that actually mean for you as a donor? Let’s break it down.
What Does “Tax-Deductible Donation” Mean?
A tax-deductible donation is a gift of money or property that can be claimed as a deduction when you complete your annual tax return. Reducing your taxable income may lower the amount of tax you owe.
Example:
If you donate $100 to Fierce Females, you can claim that $100 as a deduction. If your income is $70,000, your taxable income becomes $69,900. You don’t “get the donation back,” but you will pay tax on a smaller income - leaving you better off at tax time.
The important point: only charities endorsed as Deductible Gift Recipients (DGRs) by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) can issue tax-deductible receipts.
Who Qualifies as a Charity in Australia?
In Australia, a group or organisation qualifies as a charity if it meets the legal definition under the Charities Act 2013 (Cth) and is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
The organisation’s main purpose must fall into one or more of the 12 recognised charitable purposes, such as:
Advancing health
Advancing education
Advancing social or public welfare
Advancing religion
Promoting reconciliation, mutual respect and tolerance
Advancing culture
Promoting human rights
Preventing or relieving the suffering of animals
Advancing the natural environment
Advancing public debate or policy (in support of another charitable purpose)
Advancing the security or safety of Australia
Any other purpose that is beneficial to the community
To be legally recognised as a charity in Australia, the organisation must be registered with the ACNC. The organisation also must not operate for profit, personal gain, or the benefit of its members, owners, or directors. Profits must go back into its charitable purpose.
Once registered, it may then apply for tax concessions (like income tax exemption, GST concessions) and, if eligible, DGR status from the ATO.
Who Can Accept Tax-Deductible Donations?
In Australia, only charities and organisations that are both:
Registered with the ACNC, and
Endorsed as a DGR by the ATO
…can accept tax-deductible donations and provide official receipts.
In Australia, Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status is what allows a charity or not-for-profit to receive tax-deductible donations.
Not every registered charity automatically qualifies; they must fit into one of the categories recognised by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and meet specific requirements, including:
Public Benevolent Institutions (PBIs) - working to relieve poverty, distress, or disadvantage.
Health Promotion Charities (HPCs) - Promote the prevention or control of diseases in people.
Education-Related DGRs - Certain schools, universities, and educational scholarship funds.
Environmental Organisations - Must be listed on the Register of Environmental Organisations.
Cultural Organisations - Must be listed on the Register of Cultural Organisations.
Ancillary Funds - Funds set up to collect donations and then distribute them to other DGR-endorsed charities.
Charitable services for defence personnel.
Volunteer fire brigades and emergency services.
Animal welfare charities (in some cases).
Overseas aid funds (if listed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs).
Fierce Females is a PBI charity. This category is for organisations that provide direct relief and support to people in need, such as survivors of violence, families experiencing hardship, and communities working to prevent harm.
Because we are endorsed as a DGR, every donation of $2 or more to Fierce Females is tax-deductible.
You can check the DGR status of an organisation at ABN Look-up: Deductible Gift Recipients.
How Tax-Deductible Donations Work for Individuals
For individual donors, the process is straightforward:
Donate $2 or more to a DGR charity.
Keep your receipt.
Claim the donation as a deduction in your annual tax return.
Key benefits:
You reduce your taxable income.
You support a cause you care about.
You make your donation stretch further by receiving a benefit at tax time.
💡 Quick note: you can’t claim a deduction if you receive a personal benefit in return. For example, raffle tickets, event entry fees, or merchandise purchases usually don’t qualify.
For more information, learn more about Gifts and Donations from the ATO.
How It Works for Businesses
Businesses can also claim tax-deductible donations, provided they are genuine gifts with no material benefit in return.
For companies, this can be part of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy:
Supporting charities enhances community reputation.
Donations reduce taxable income.
Contributing to organisations like Fierce Females demonstrates a commitment to social impact and safer communities.
If a business receives advertising or promotion in return, the contribution may be treated as sponsorship rather than a donation, which has different tax rules. It is always recommended to consult with an accountant to understand what tax rules apply and where.
Why Tax-Deductible Donations Matter
Tax deductibility is a way the government encourages Australians to support charitable causes. It ensures that when you give, you’re recognised for contributing to the well-being of your community.
For Fierce Females, donations directly fund:
Empowerment through education and building practical skills
Funding workshops that build confidence, awareness, and knowledge to prevent violence before it starts
Support for women and girls facing or at risk of violence
Enabling trauma-informed, person-centred programs that restore a sense of safety, control, and resilience.
When you donate, you’re not only helping us deliver these programs, you’re also part of a bigger system of change, breaking cycles of violence in the community and the home.
A Win-Win for Donors and Communities
Tax-deductible donations are a win-win. They empower charities like Fierce Females to continue vital work in violence prevention and community empowerment, and they allow donors to claim a benefit in return.
If you’d like to support Fierce Females through a tax-deductible donation, you can donate directly via our website. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us create safer futures for women, girls, and communities.