Other government sites
Australia.gov.au – the Australian Government Entry PointExternal Link
The Australian Government Entry Point offers comprehensive and integrated access to Australian Government information and services. You will find a concentrated body of Australian Government information through this site. The site signposts over 700 Australian Government websites, indexes more than one million pages and uses both metadata and free text indexing to ensure it is a comprehensive government portal.
Austrade – Australian Trade CommissionExternal Link
Austrade (the Australian Trade Commission) is the official trade and investment facilitation agency of the Australian Government. We help Australians win export business and generate inward and outward investment. This site provides export assistance, help and trade information for companies exporting from Australia - including trade events, new exporter programs, and grants programs. It also provides Australian products and services for buyers from overseas countries, Australian industry capability and how Austrade can help with importing Australian products and services to your country.
Australia's Future Tax SystemExternal Link
On 13 May 2008 the Australian Government announced the review of Australia's tax system. The review will look at the current tax system and make recommendations to position Australia to deal with the demographic, social, economic and environmental challenges of the 21st century.
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits CommissionExternal Link
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is the independent national regulator of charities. Charities must register with the ACNC before they can receive charity tax concessions from the ATO. The ACNC also maintains the ACNC Charity RegisterExternal Link which contains information about the more than 54 000 ACNC registered charities in Australia.
Australian Competition and Consumer CommissionExternal Link
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is an independent Australian Government statutory authority. It was formed in 1995 to administer the Trade Practices Act 1974 and the Prices Surveillance Act 1983. The ACCC promotes competition and fair trade in the market place to benefit consumers, business and the community. It also regulates national infrastructure services. Its primary responsibility is to ensure that individuals and businesses comply with the Commonwealth competition, fair trading and consumer protection laws. In fair trading and consumer protection, its role complements that of the state and territory consumer affairs agencies which administer the mirror legislation of their jurisdictions, and the Competition and Consumer Policy Division of the Commonwealth Treasury. The ACCC maintains the SCAMwatchExternal Link website which explains how to recognise, avoid and report scamsExternal Link.
Australian Cyber Security CentreExternal Link
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) leads the Australian Government’s efforts to improve cyber security. Our role is to help make Australia the safest place to connect online.
Australian Financial Security AuthorityExternal Link
The Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) is the government agency responsible for the administration and regulation of the personal insolvency system in Australia. AFSA operates the bankruptcy registry, where debtors petitions are lodged, debt agreement proposals are processed and public records on personal insolvency are maintained. The purpose of AFSA is to provide a personal insolvency system that produces equitable outcomes for debtors and creditors, enjoys public confidence and minimises the impact of financial failure on the community.
Australian Prudential Regulation AuthorityExternal Link
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) is the prudential regulator of banks, insurance companies and superannuation funds, credit unions, building societies and friendly societies.
Australian Securities and Investments CommissionExternal Link
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is an independent government body that enforces and administers corporations law and consumer protection law for investments, life and general insurance, superannuation and banking (except lending) throughout Australia. Their purpose is to reduce fraud and unfair practices in financial markets and financial products so consumers use them confidently and companies and markets perform effectively.
Australian Trade and Investment CommissionExternal Link
The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) is the Australian Government’s international trade promotion and investment attraction agency. We generate market information and insights, promote Australian capability, and facilitate connections through our extensive global network.
business.gov.auExternal Link
This site provides government information and transactions for people operating a business (or planning to start a business) and their advisers. You can apply for an Australian business number (ABN) electronically, and search for a business's ABN on this site.
ComLawExternal Link
ComLaw is the legal information retrieval system owned by the Australian Attorney General's Department. It contains up-to-date electronic versions of all Commonwealth legislation.
Commonwealth OmbudsmanExternal Link
The Australian Commonwealth Ombudsman investigates complaints about Australian Government departments' and agencies' actions to see if they are unlawful, wrong, unjust or discriminatory. The Commonwealth Ombudsman is also the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Ombudsman. The ACT Ombudsman investigates complaints about ACT Government agencies.
Department of AgricultureExternal Link
Provides quarantine inspection services for the arrival of international passengers, cargo, mail, animals and plants or their products into Australia, and inspection and certification for a range of animal and plant products exported from Australia.
Department of Foreign Affairs and TradeExternal Link
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is responsible for the Australian Government's international relations, trade and development assistance programs through its headquarters in Canberra and embassies, high commissions and consulates throughout the world.
Department of Home AffairsExternal Link
Home Affairs brings together Australia's federal law enforcement, national and transport security, criminal justice, emergency management, multicultural affairs, settlement services and immigration and border-related functions, working together to keep Australia safe
Department of Human Services – myaccountExternal Link
Visit myaccount to search for social and health related services online, find your nearest Human Services office and access calculators and other online tools. If you are registered with more than one Human Services agency, you can create a single sign-on at myaccount. Once you have created a single sign-on, you only have to login once to access Centrelink, the Child Support Agency and Medicare Australia online.
Fair Work OmbudsmanExternal Link
The role of the Fair Work Ombudsman is to give advice and help employees, employers, contractors and the community understand their workplace rights and responsibilities. They also investigate workplace complaints and enforce compliance with Australia's workplace laws.
Some investigations result in the Fair Work Ombudsman receiving payments from employers for outstanding wages and entitlements. You can search the Fair Work Ombudsman's unpaid wages database to find out if your former employer paid the Commonwealth money that was owed to you.
Foreign Investment Review BoardExternal Link
The Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) is a non-statutory body that advises the Government on foreign investment policy and its administration. The Board examines proposals by foreign interests to undertake direct investment in Australia and makes recommendations to the government on whether those proposals are suitable for approval under the government's policy.
Inspector-General of TaxationExternal Link
The objective of the Inspector-General of Taxation is to improve the administration of the tax laws for the benefit of all taxpayers. The sole focus for the Inspector-General is on tax systems rather than individual taxpayer matters.
IP AustraliaExternal Link
IP Australia is the government agency responsible for the registration of patents, trade marks and designs. This site contains information about how to protect and gain maximum benefit from your intellectual property.
MoneySmartExternal Link
ASIC's special investor and consumer website MoneySmart offers free, independent guidance to help you make the best choices for your money. It is put together by an experienced team of financial planners and consumer educators.
Find out how shares, managed investments, super and insurance really work, and use our financial information directory for Australian websites and other information about finance.
Keep up to date with the latest smart money tips by subscribing to ASIC's monthly eNewsletterExternal Link.
Office of the Australian Information CommissionerExternal Link
OAIC are the independent national regulator for privacy and freedom of information. They promote and uphold your rights to access government-held information and have your personal information protected. Provides a range of information relating to the Privacy Commissioner's responsibilities under the Federal Privacy Act 1988 and includes valuable information about internet privacy issues.
Standard Business ReportingExternal Link
Standard Business Reporting (SBR) is an Australian Government initiative to reduce the business-to-government reporting burden. SBR has been co-designed by Australian, state and territory government agencies in partnership with software developers, business and their accountants, bookkeepers, tax agents and payroll professionals. A multi-agency initiative involving 12 federal, state and territory government authorities, SBR is simplifying business-to-government reporting.
SCAMwatchExternal Link
SCAMwatch is to provide information to consumers and small business about how to recognise, avoid and report scamsExternal Link. Scams that are reported to SCAMwatch will be analysed by the ACCC.
State government requirements – non-profit organisations and fundraising
Each state and territory authority has its own laws to regulate fundraising activities such as bingo, raffles and doorknock appeals and they have provided an overview of their requirements.
Tax boards and representative associations
Association of Taxation and Management AccountantsExternal Link
The Association of Taxation and Management Accountants is a representative association that participates in ATO consultative forums.
The Board of TaxationExternal Link
The Board of Taxation advises the government on a range taxation issues and ensures the community is adequately informed about changes to the tax system. The board is a non-statutory advisory body.
CPA AustraliaExternal Link
CPA Australia is a representative association of Certified Practising Accountants that participates in ATO consultative forums.
Institute of Chartered Accountants in AustraliaExternal Link
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA) is a representative association that participates in ATO consultative forums.
Law Council of AustraliaExternal Link
The Law Council of Australia was created in 1933 as the peak national body representing the legal profession.
The Law Council of Australia's mission is:
- to represent the legal profession at the national level, to speak on behalf of its constituent bodies on national issues affecting the legal profession, and
- to promote the administration of justice, access to justice and general improvement of the law.
The Law Council of Australia advises governments, courts and other federal agencies on ways in which the law and the justice system can be improved for the benefit of the community.
Institute of Public AccountantsExternal Link
The Institute of Public Accountants is a representative association that participates in ATO consultative forums.
National Tax and Accountants Association LtdExternal Link
The National Tax and Accountants Association Ltd is a representative association that participates in ATO consultative forums.
Tax Practitioners BoardExternal Link
The Tax Practitioners Board is responsible for determining the suitability of applicants to be registered as tax agents, dealing with complaints about tax agents and ensuring that proper standards are maintained across the tax agent profession.
Taxation Institute of AustraliaExternal Link
The Taxation Institute of Australia (TIA) is an independent taxation organisation representing the interests and opinions of specialist practitioners. Taxation Institute members include a comprehensive cross section of leading accountants, lawyers, tax agents, managers and academics.
Tax & Super AustraliaExternal Link
Tax & Super Australia is a representative association that participates in ATO consultative forums.
Other tax-related sites
Australian Business RegisterExternal Link
The Australian Business Register allows you to register for an Australian business number (ABN) and other tax obligations. You can also view and update your ABN record.
Australian Taxation Studies ProgramExternal Link
The Australian Taxation Studies Program (ATAX), at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), is Australia's only university program to offer undergraduate and postgraduate study opportunities in the field of taxation, for students throughout Australia.
Software developers websiteExternal Link
The Registered Software Facility provides software developers with information to build and test their products and gives businesses details of products that meet ATO requirements.
Parliamentary
The Prime Minister of AustraliaExternal Link
Home page of the Prime Minister of Australia. Includes information on the Prime Minister and latest news and media releases.
Assistant TreasurerExternal Link
Home page of the Assistant Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Department of TreasuryExternal Link
The Department of Treasury website provides information on the Department and its operations, including media releases, treasury publications and latest news.
Parliament of AustraliaExternal Link
Home of the Parliament of Australia. Provides information about legislation and about both Houses of Parliament and their members.