Official form guide
Form 5B: Form 5B Report false or misleading statement
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Form 5B is used to report false or misleading statements made to the ACNC or under the ACNC Act, and to report errors in Annual Information Statements or financial reports. Any person can submit this form; if submitted before the ACNC asks about the charity's affairs, the charity will not have to pay a penalty.
Need help with Form 5B?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Form Overview
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Form 5B - Form 5B Report false or misleading statement
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Form 5B is used to report false or misleading statements made to the ACNC or under the ACNC Act, and to report errors in Annual Information Statements or financial reports. Any person can submit this form; if submitted before the ACNC asks about the charity's affairs, the charity will not have to pay a penalty.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Do not type your name in the signature field; the ACNC will not accept it.
- 2Submitting without attaching additional information when more space is needed
- 3Failing to have the declaration signed by an authorised person (see Section C)
- 4Using a typed signature instead of a digital ID, image, or drawn name
- 5Omitting the charity's ABN in Section A
Plain English
This form lets you tell the ACNC that someone gave wrong or misleading information to the charity regulator. You can also use it to fix mistakes in your charity's annual reports. If you send this form before the ACNC asks you about it, your charity won't get a penalty.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Not stated in the official source.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- Use this form to report a false or misleading statement made to the ACNC or under the ACNC Act, or to report errors in Annual Information Statements or financial reports.
- Do not use this form for general inquiries or complaints not related to false or misleading statements or errors in AIS/financial reports.
- Check the ACNC website for other forms; no specific alternate form is mentioned in the source.
Deadline or filing window
The official source does not specify a filing deadline. However, if you submit this form before the ACNC asks about your charity's affairs, your charity will not have to pay a penalty. No extension is provided as there is no due date.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Charity ABN
ABN certificate or ACNC Register · ACNC Register
Charity legal name
Official documents (constitution, ASIC) · Charity's records
Date false statement made
Records of communication · Charity's files
Description of false statement
Copies of the statement · Charity's records
Explanation of falsity
Internal investigation notes · Charity's records
Date charity became aware
Board meeting minutes, emails · Charity's records
Signatory details
Identification, authority · Signatory's records
Before you submit
- 1Confirm charity ABN is correct.
- 2Confirm charity legal name matches official documents.
- 3Attach any additional information if needed.
- 4Ensure all sections A and B are completed.
- 5Have the form signed by an eligible person.
- 6If signing electronically, use digital ID, image of signature, or drawn name (not typed).
- 7Make a copy of the completed form and attachments.
- 8Email the form to [email protected] or mail to GPO Box 5108 Melbourne VIC 3001.
- 9Verify the form is the current version (check ACNC website).
How to file this form
- 1Download the fillable PDF from the ACNC website or print a blank form.
- 2Complete Section A with charity ABN and legal name.
- 3Complete Section B with details of the false or misleading statement.
- 4Complete Section C: have an authorised person sign and date the declaration.
- 5Attach any additional information if needed.
- 6Make a copy for your records.
- 7Submit the form by email to [email protected] or by mail to GPO Box 5108 Melbourne VIC 3001.
- 8Retain proof of submission (email sent receipt or postal tracking).
Known limitations
- 1This form is only for reporting to the ACNC, not for other regulators.
- 2The penalty waiver applies only if the form is submitted before the ACNC asks about the charity's affairs.
- 3The form is for charities registered with the ACNC; unregistered entities cannot use it.
- 4The form does not cover statements made to other agencies or under other laws.
- 5General complaints not related to false or misleading statements should use a different process.
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 specify a revision date. Verify the current edition on the ACNC website.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — not stated in the source; confirm on ACNC website.
- Fee — not stated; likely no fee but confirm.
- Mailing address — use GPO Box 5108 Melbourne VIC 3001.
- Signature — must be signed by a responsible person, authorised person, agent, or lodging entity; electronic signature requires digital ID, image of signature, or drawn name; typed name not accepted.
- Email submission — send to [email protected].
- Copy — keep a copy for your records.
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm p.1 — purpose: report false or misleading statement or errors in AIS/financial reports.
- SRCForm p.1 — penalty waiver if submitted before ACNC asks.
- SRCForm p.1 — Section A must answer all questions; info appears on ACNC Register.
- SRCForm p.1 — Section B must answer all questions; info not on register.
- SRCForm p.2 — who can sign: responsible person, authorised person, agent, lodging entity.
- SRCForm p.2 — electronic signature requirements: 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.
- SRCForm p.2 — contact: 13 22 62, [email protected].
- SRCForm p.2 — privacy: information collected under ACNC Act 2012.
Common confusion points
Who can sign the form?
The form lists multiple categories; people may think only a board member can sign.
→ Check Section C: responsible person, authorised person, agent, or lodging entity can sign.
Can I type my name as a signature?
The form says typed name is not accepted.
→ Use digital ID, image of signature, or draw your name.
What if the false statement was made over a period?
The form asks for start and end dates.
→ Provide the date range in Section B question 3.
Do I need to attach evidence?
The form says attach additional information if needed.
→ Attach any supporting documents to explain the false statement.
Is this form confidential?
Section B information will not appear on the ACNC Register.
→ Yes, but Section A appears on the register.
What if I submit after the ACNC asks?
The penalty waiver only applies if submitted before ACNC asks.
→ Submit as soon as possible to avoid penalty.
Can I email the form?
Yes, email to [email protected].
→ Ensure you include all attachments and keep a copy.
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing — Australian Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.