Date Time Easing regulatory burden on charities Australian charities hit hard by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will receive relief from burdensome financial reporting requirements under an agreement signed by all Federal, state and territory treasurers. Inconsistent and outdated regulations across jurisdictions create an estimated regulatory burden of $13.3 million a year for the charitable fundraising sector. The recent Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements highlighted the crucial role charities play in disaster recovery efforts, but noted the complexities of operating across jurisdictions with distinct regulatory schemes. Charity financial reporting The Council on Federal Financial Relations (CFFR) agreed to develop a framework by mid-2021 to lift the financial reporting thresholds to benefit over 5,000 small and medium charities, allowing those charities to redirect resources to help vulnerable Australians.