Collections for charitable purposes

Under the Collections for Charitable Purposes Act 1939 no person may, for any charitable purpose, collect any money or goods, sell badges, discs, flowers, tokens or other similar things without a licence or charge for entertainment, unless the person, or the organisation to which the person belongs, is registered. These terms are defined as:

Licences for charitable collections can be obtained from the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner.

Some local councils require that permission be sought before doorknocks or street collections are allowed within their areas and regulate how these activities must be carried out.

Lotteries

To find out if you need a licence for a fundraising lottery, raffle, or bingo, see the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner. Certain minor lotteries are exempt from the requirement to hold a licence.

Liquor licences

If alcohol is to be sold by the glass or served 'free' at any function that has an entry charge, it is necessary, under the Liquor Licensing Act 1985 to obtain a limited licence from the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner. Applications must be made at least fourteen days before the event and a small fee applies. A limited licence may only be granted to applicants with the proper facilities and experience to handle selling alcohol, and on the conditions that it will not be sold or consumed in a manner that is against the public interest and that the function area is a suitable place where alcohol can be sold and consumed. Sometimes a plan of the function area is requested. Conditions may be imposed to minimise annoyance, disturbance or inconvenience of others in the area, to ensure the safety and health of those attending, to ensure public order, to limit the types of alcohol and the times that is may be supplied.

Once a licence has been granted, the provisions of the Act apply and several offences can be committed. Examples of offences are: allowing alcohol to be sold, served or drunk by a person under 18 years; not personally supervising the selling of alcohol; providing entertainment without the consent of the Commissioner. A person who sells alcohol without being licensed may be fined up to $10 000. Where an association is guilty of an offence, each member of the committee is also guilty.

Registrations

Before an organisation publishes a book or periodical, it can apply for an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) through the Australian ISBN Agency (publisher Thorpe-Bowker). Application forms are available online. The ISBN is issued before publication and printed in the book so that the book can be identified.