Find out if your organisation is eligible for free legal help - Is your not-for-profit organisation prepared for a privacy breach?
- Are you unclear about your organisation's reporting requirements?
- Not sure if your constitution is legally compliant?
- Do you need help understanding the recent changes to fixed term employment contracts?
- Are you unsure of what obligations your organisation has to protect the mental health of your employees or volunteers?
From running a specialist legal service for not-for-profit organisations, we know it can be difficult to work out whether your organisation is staying legally compliant in an ever-changing environment. We can help. We provide free legal advice to eligible organisations from our team of lawyers or our network of pro bono law firms. Make a short enquiry through our online form to see if your organisation is eligible for easy-to-understand and practical legal support. If your organisation is based and operating in NSW, we are unable to assist you with your legal issue at this time. Find out more.
Law reform Update on the implementation of the National Fundraising Principles 12 months since the Federal Government announced they would #FixFundraising with a new set of National Fundraising Principles, the coalition for fundraising reform has released a report card tracking developments in each jurisdiction. It paints a concerning picture of delay and fragmentation. Read the full update, and see Justice Connect's media release. Law and policy updatesChanges to workplace laws from the Closing Loopholes Act β Part 2
Update on the new Victorian Social Services Regulator The new framework for social services in Victoria begins on 1 July 2024 under the Social Services Regulation Act 2021 (Vic) and associated regulations. We outlined the requirements to comply with the new scheme in our article What Victorian social service providers need to know about the new Social Services Regulator. The Victorian Government has now announced: - the appointment of Jonathan Kaplan as the new Social Services Regulator
- the functions of the Disability Services Commissioner will merge into the Social Services Regulator when it starts on 1 July 2024, and
- in the longer term, the functions of the Victorian Disability Worker Commission and the Disability Worker Registration Board of Victoria will also merge into the Social Services Regulator (sometime in 2026).
Monitor the Social Services Regulation Reform webpage for more information and guidance on the new regulator. The Victorian Council of Social Service is hosting an online briefing on 28 February to update participants on multiple concurrent reforms affecting Victoria's social and community sector, including the Social Services Regulator. You can register here. ATO guidance on electric vehicle charging rates From 1 July 2022, employers do not pay Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) on eligible electric cars and associated car expenses. Electric vehicle electricity costs can also be included as a tax deduction in an individual's personal income tax return. The ATO has now finalised guidelines on how electricity costs for charging electric vehicles at home may be calculated for FBT or income tax purposes. ResourcesUpdated resourcesEnding your organisation We have redesigned and updated our resources on ending your organisation to make the information you need easier to find and understand. We have: Guides to running an organisation Responsibilities of the board and committee members Employee termination and resignation Handling employment disputes
Help us reinstate our funding in NSWIn November we announced that a year after the NSW Government stopped funding our work, we had no choice but to start removing our tailored legal information resources for NSW-based community organisations from our website, because we no longer have the resources to keep them up-to-date and legally accurate. We also had to cut off our NSW advice services completely. Each month in our Monthly Updates, weβll let you know which resources weβre removing ahead of time. On 5 March, weβll remove: We know our services and resources are valued and used by tens of thousands of NSW community organisations each year. We need your help to ensure a sustainable NSW community sector where frontline organisations can access our free legal support to help them deliver services to more people in need. Weβre asking you to email a letter to the NSW Government in support of reinstating our funding so we can continue to support a strong and vibrant NSW community sector. Upcoming webinarsJoin a 75-minute webinar covering common legal problems, and leave equipped with practical legal tips and insights to implement in your organisation.
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