Official form guide
Form 4D: Form 4D Apply to keep charity size
ACNC Form 4D is used by charities to ask the ACNC to continue classifying them as their usual size (small or medium) after a temporary size change due to an unusual event like a bequest. The form must be submitted during the reporting period of the event or within six months after it ends, and before the Annual Information Statement.
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Form Overview
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Form 4D - Form 4D Apply to keep charity size
ACNC Form 4D is used by charities to ask the ACNC to continue classifying them as their usual size (small or medium) after a temporary size change due to an unusual event like a bequest. The form must be submitted during the reporting period of the event or within six months after it ends, and before the Annual Information Statement.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Signing by typing your name – ACNC cannot accept this as a signature.
- 2Submitting the form after the Annual Information Statement has been filed.
- 3Signing the declaration by typing your name instead of using a digital ID, image, or drawn signature.
- 4Failing to provide revenue for all three required reporting periods (previous, unusual event, following).
- 5Not describing the unusual event and the revenue received as a result.
Plain English
This form lets your charity keep its usual size classification (small or medium) even if your revenue jumped for one year because of something unusual, like a big donation. You need to show the revenue for three years and explain the event. The ACNC will decide if you can stay the same size.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Submit this form during the reporting period in which the unusual event occurred or within six months of that period ending, and before you submit your Annual Information Statement.
- 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
- Use this form when your charity's size changes for one reporting period due to an unusual event (e.g., a bequest or large donation) and is likely to return to its former size in future reporting periods.
- Do not use this form when the size change is permanent or not due to an unusual event.
- Check Form 4A: Request a substituted accounting period instead when your charity reports for a period other than 1 July to 30 June and needs ACNC approval.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Need a substituted accounting period
This form is for requesting a different reporting period, not for keeping charity size.
✓ Ensure your charity needs a different accounting period approved by ACNC.
Deadline or filing window
The filing window opens when the unusual event occurs during a reporting period. You must submit the form during that reporting period or within six months after it ends, and before you submit your Annual Information Statement. No extension is mentioned in the official source.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Charity ABN (Section A, Q1)
ABN registration document · Australian Business Register
Charity name (Section A, Q2)
Legal or official documents showing formal name · Constitution, ASIC records
Revenue for previous reporting period (Section B, Q3)
Financial statements or records · Profit and loss statement
Revenue for reporting period of unusual event (Section B, Q3)
Financial statements for that period · Profit and loss statement
Revenue for following reporting period (Section B, Q3)
Financial projections or actuals · Budget or financial statements
Description of unusual event (Section B, Q4)
Details of the event and revenue received · Board minutes, correspondence
Before you submit
- 1Fill in all required fields in Section A (charity ABN and name).
- 2Fill in all required fields in Section B (revenue for three periods and description of unusual event).
- 3Estimate future revenue if applicable; do not include cents.
- 4Attach any additional information if needed.
- 5Sign the declaration in Section C with the correct signatory.
- 6If signing electronically, use a digital ID, image of signature, or drawn name; do not type your name.
- 7Make a copy of the completed form and attachments for your records.
- 8Lodge the form by email to [email protected] or mail to GPO Box 5108 Melbourne VIC 3001.
How to file this form
- 1Download Form 4D from the ACNC website or use a fillable PDF.
- 2Complete Section A: enter charity ABN and formal name.
- 3Complete Section B: enter total revenue for the previous, event, and following reporting periods, and describe the unusual event.
- 4Complete Section C: have the form signed by an authorised person.
- 5Make a copy of the form and any attachments.
- 6Submit the form by email to [email protected] or by mail to the ACNC at GPO Box 5108 Melbourne VIC 3001.
Known limitations
- 1Only applies when the charity's size change is due to an unusual event and is likely to be temporary.
- 2Must be submitted during the reporting period of the event or within six months after the period ends, and before the Annual Information Statement.
- 3If the charity reports for a period other than 1 July to 30 June, a substituted accounting period must be approved via Form 4A.
- 4The form does not cover permanent changes in charity size; separate procedures may apply.
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.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The source does not include a revision date. For the latest edition, refer to the ACNC website's 'Reporting' section. No changes are noted in the provided excerpts.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — Not stated in the official source. Check the ACNC website for the current edition.
- Fee — No fee is mentioned in the source.
- Mailing address — GPO Box 5108 Melbourne VIC 3001
- Signature — Must be signed by a responsible person, authorised person, agent, or lodging entity. Electronic signature must be a digital ID, image of signature, or drawn name; typed name is not accepted.
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm p.1 — Purpose: use this form to ask ACNC to continue to classify your charity as its usual size after an unusual event.
- SRCForm p.1 — When to submit: during the reporting period or within six months after, and before Annual Information Statement.
- SRCForm p.1 — Instructions: form is fillable with Adobe Acrobat Reader; can print and fill by hand; declaration must be signed.
- SRCForm p.1 — Section A: charity ABN and name required; information appears on ACNC Register.
- SRCForm p.1 — Section B: revenue for three reporting periods required; do not include cents; estimate if future.
- SRCForm p.2 — Section C: penalties for false information; privacy policy; who can sign.
- SRCForm p.2 — Signature: electronic signature must be digital ID, image, or drawn name; typed name not accepted.
- SRCForm p.2 — Lodging: email to [email protected] or mail to GPO Box 5108 Melbourne VIC 3001; keep a copy.
Common confusion points
Can I use this form if my charity's size changed permanently?
The form title says 'keep charity size' which may imply ongoing.
→ Read the purpose: only for temporary changes due to unusual events.
Do I need to submit this form every year?
The form is for a one-time event.
→ Only submit when an unusual event causes a size change.
Can I submit after the Annual Information Statement?
Deadline confusion.
→ Must be submitted before the Annual Information Statement.
What if my charity's reporting period is not 1 July to 30 June?
The form assumes standard period.
→ You need ACNC approval via Form 4A first.
Can I type my name in the signature field?
Electronic signature methods unclear.
→ ACNC does not accept typed names; use digital ID, image, or drawn signature.
Do I need to include cents in revenue?
Form shows $ .XX.
→ Do not include cents; round to whole dollars.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Contact ACNC Advice Services at 13 22 62 or [email protected].
Source transparency
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