Official form guide
Form 5B: Form 5B Report false or misleading statement
Form 5B is the ACNC’s Report false or misleading statement form. Use it to tell the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission that a false or misleading statement has been made to the ACNC or under the ACNC Act, or to report errors in an Annual Information Statement or financial report.
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Form Overview
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Form 5B - Form 5B Report false or misleading statement
Form 5B is the ACNC’s Report false or misleading statement form. Use it to tell the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission that a false or misleading statement has been made to the ACNC or under the ACNC Act, or to report errors in an Annual Information Statement or financial report.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1A common mistake is typing your name instead of inserting an image or drawing your signature, which the ACNC will reject.
- 2Leaving any required field blank
- 3Signing by typing your name
- 4Failing to attach supporting documents
- 5Sending the form to the wrong email address
Plain English
If you discover that your charity gave the ACNC incorrect information – whether by mistake or otherwise – you fill out this short form to let them know. It helps the ACNC correct the record and can avoid a penalty if you act before they ask you about the issue.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Submit the form as soon as the charity becomes aware of the false or misleading statement, ideally before the ACNC contacts you about the matter.
- 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 false or misleading statement has been made to the ACNC or under the ACNC Act.
- When you need to report an error in an Annual Information Statement submitted to the ACNC.
- When you want to avoid a penalty by reporting the issue before the ACNC asks about it.
- When the charity has become aware of a misleading statement and needs to document the details for the ACNC.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Incorrect financial figures in Annual Information Statement
Covers errors in financial reports to ACNC
✓ Verify the error is not a compliance breach first
Breach of charitable purpose or governance issue
Different matters require different forms
✓ Confirm the issue relates to false statements, not governance
Form 5A (Change of details) or Form 5C (Governance matter)
Request to amend charity details (name, ABN)
Not about false statements
✓ Use the appropriate change‑of‑details form
Deadline or filing window
If you submit this form before the ACNC asks about your charity’s affairs, your charity will not have to pay a penalty. There is no fixed calendar deadline, but act promptly after discovering the issue.
Before you submit
- 1Complete Section A with the charity's ABN and legal name.
- 2Provide start and end dates for when the false statement was made.
- 3Describe the false statement, who it was made to, and how it was communicated.
- 4Explain why the statement was false or misleading.
- 5Enter the date the charity became aware of the issue.
- 6Attach any supporting documents or extra space if needed.
- 7Ensure the declaration is signed by an authorised person (board member, CEO, lawyer, etc.).
- 8If signing electronically, attach a digital ID, image or drawn signature – do not type the name.
- 9Make a copy of the completed form and all attachments for your records.
- 10Email the form to [email protected] or post it to the ACNC mailing address.
How to file this form
- 1Open the fillable PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- 2Enter all required details in Sections A, B and C.
- 3Attach any extra information that explains the false statement.
- 4Sign the declaration using an accepted electronic method or print and sign.
- 5Save the completed form and attachments.
- 6Email the file to [email protected] or mail a printed copy to GPO Box 5108, Melbourne VIC 3001.
- 7Keep a copy for your records.
Known limitations
- 1The form does not appear on the public ACNC Register; it is for internal ACNC use only.
- 2Only a responsible, authorised, or agent person can sign; an unrelated staff member cannot.
- 3Electronic signatures must not be plain typed text; they must be a digital ID, image, or drawn name.
- 4If the false statement relates to a broader compliance breach, a different ACNC form may be required.
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 5B is the current ACNC form for reporting a false or misleading statement to the Commission. It remains the valid version for this purpose as listed on the ACNC website.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm the form is the fillable PDF version for Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Check that the electronic signature options (digital ID, image, or drawn name) are still accepted.
- Verify the contact email ([email protected]) and mailing address are current.
- Review the privacy statement to ensure it matches the latest ACNC privacy policy.
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCPurpose: report false or misleading statement to ACNCverified
- SRCSection A requires ABN and legal nameverified
- SRCSection B asks for dates, statement details, explanation, and awareness dateverified
- SRCSection C lists who may sign and electronic signature rulesverified
- SRCSubmission email ([email protected]) and mailing addressverified
- SRCPenalty note: no penalty if submitted before ACNC asksverified
- SRCPrivacy collection purpose and possible sharing with other agenciesverified
- SRCContact phone number 13 22 62verified
Common confusion points
Thinking the form can be used for general governance complaints – it is only for false or misleading statements.
Signing by typing a name instead of using a digital ID, image or drawn signature.
Leaving the ‘other charity’ fields blank when an agent from another charity is signing.
Assuming the form will automatically appear on the public register.
Submitting without attaching supporting evidence for the false statement.
Using the form after the ACNC has already raised the issue – the form is intended for proactive reporting.
Source transparency
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