Official form guide
Form 3C: Form 3C Notify contravention or non-compliance
Form 3C is the ACNC’s ‘Notify contravention or non‑compliance’ form. Use it when a charity has breached the ACNC Act or its governance or external conduct standards so badly that it may no longer be entitled to be registered as a charity.
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Form Overview
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Form 3C - Form 3C Notify contravention or non-compliance
Form 3C is the ACNC’s ‘Notify contravention or non‑compliance’ form. Use it when a charity has breached the ACNC Act or its governance or external conduct standards so badly that it may no longer be entitled to be registered as a charity.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Most people forget to add a proper electronic signature, which makes the form invalid.
- 2Missing or illegible signature
- 3Submitting after the 28‑day deadline
- 4Providing an incomplete breach description
- 5Typing a name instead of using a digital signature or image
Plain English
If your charity has done something that breaks the law or the ACNC’s rules and that could mean it loses its charity status, you need to tell the ACNC using this form. It’s a short, fill‑in‑the‑blank document that lets the regulator know what happened.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Submit the form as soon as practical after the breach, and no later than 28 days from when you became aware of it.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- When a significant breach of the ACNC Act means the charity is no longer entitled to be registered.
- When there is a major breach of the ACNC Governance Standards under the Act.
- When there is a major breach of the ACNC External Conduct Standards under the Act.
- Do not use this form for simple errors or false/misleading statements – use Form 5B instead.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Error or false/misleading statement
Specific form for false statements
✓ Verify the issue is a false statement, not a breach
Form 5B Report false or misleading statement
Minor breach that does not affect registration entitlement
Issue can be handled internally
✓ Confirm the breach does not remove registration rights
Need to update charity details (ABN, name, address)
Used for administrative changes, not breaches
✓ Ensure the change is not about a breach
Form 2 (or similar ACNC update form)
Deadline or filing window
The form must be lodged within 28 days of the breach becoming known, or as soon as practicable if that is later.
Before you submit
- 1ABN and charity name are entered exactly as on official documents.
- 2Detailed description of the breach and any actions taken is provided in Section B.
- 3All required fields in Section A are completed; no blanks remain.
- 4The declaration in Section C is signed by an authorised person (board member, CEO, lawyer, etc.).
- 5If signing electronically, a digital ID is used or a signature image/drawn name is inserted.
- 6Any extra supporting documents are attached to the PDF.
- 7The form is submitted within 28 days of becoming aware of the breach.
- 8A copy of the completed form and attachments is saved for your records.
- 9Form is emailed to [email protected] or mailed to the ACNC address provided.
How to file this form
- 1Download the fillable Form 3C from the ACNC website.
- 2Enter the charity’s ABN and formal name in Section A.
- 3Write a clear, detailed account of the breach and any remedial action in Section B.
- 4Complete Section C with the signer’s name, position, contact details and sign (digital ID or image).
- 5Attach any additional information needed to explain the breach.
- 6Save a copy of the completed form and attachments.
- 7Submit the form by email to [email protected] or post it to the ACNC address.
Known limitations
- 1Only for breaches that mean the charity is no longer entitled to be registered.
- 2Does not cover simple errors, false statements, or minor non‑compliance.
- 3Must be signed by an authorised person; unsigned forms will be rejected.
- 4Providing false or misleading information can lead to penalties.
- 5The form does not appear on the public ACNC Register; only internal use.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Charity
2 items
The registered charity name and its ABN.
Details of the responsible people (board or committee members).
Report
2 items
The registration detail, change, or reporting information this form covers.
The reporting period for the Annual Information Statement, if applicable.
Declaration
1 items
Declare the information is accurate and submit through the Charity Portal.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form 3C is the current ACNC form used to notify a contravention or non‑compliance that may affect a charity's registration entitlement.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm the PDF is the latest version on the ACNC website.
- Check that the form is fillable with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Verify the declaration section (Section C) matches the current signing options.
- Ensure the email address for submission ([email protected]) is still correct.
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCPurpose of formconfirmed in official source.
- SRCWhen to submit (as soon as practical, within 28 days)confirmed in official source.
- SRCSection A questions (ABN, charity name)confirmed in official source.
- SRCSection B requirement to explain breachconfirmed in official source.
- SRCSection C signing options and authorised signersconfirmed in official source.
- SRCElectronic signing requirementsconfirmed in official source.
- SRCSubmission email address ([email protected])confirmed in official source.
- SRCPenalty warning for false informationconfirmed in official source.
- SRCReference to Form 5B for false statementsconfirmed in official source.
- SRCContact details ([email protected], 13 22 62)confirmed in official source.
Common confusion points
Using Form 5B instead of Form 3C for a breach that affects registration.
Leaving the declaration unsigned or typing a name instead of inserting a signature.
Submitting after the 28‑day deadline.
Failing to attach supporting documents when space in the form is insufficient.
Signing electronically without a digital ID or proper signature image.
Entering the charity’s name incorrectly (not matching legal documents).
Sending the form to the wrong email address or postal address.
Source transparency
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