There are many ways that people can be involved in a community or not-for-profit organisation.
The people involved with your organisation might be on the committee, a member, employed by the organisation, a volunteer, funder, donor or a service user. Special legal obligations and rights apply to each of these relationships.
It can sometimes be hard to identify which of the relationship applies, and in some cases one person may be engaging with your organisation in several ways (eg. one person could be a member, donor and service user of a medical support not-for-profit).
If you are unsure about what type of relationship is involved and the laws that apply, read the information in each of the 'people involved' sub-pages to help you identify the relationship and the law that applies.
Whistleblower protection laws
If Whistleblower protection laws under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act) apply to your organisation, you should consider how to manage any risks that this may present. In particular, people involved in your organisation may be protected as whistleblowers.
Our fact sheet on whistleblowing covers:
- what is whistleblowing?
- who is protected as a whistleblower?
- an overview of the whistleblower protection law?
- do the whistleblower protection laws apply to your organisation?
- key responsibilities of not-for-profit organisations and their officers under whistleblower protection laws
- when is a whistleblower policy required?
- offences and penalties for failing to comply with whistleblower protection laws
For more information on whistleblower protection laws, to the whistleblower webpage.
Governance and duties
For more information on governance and duties, go to the Governance webpage.