Si Gladman / 20 January 2026. Rationalist Society of Australia
Religious charities found to have engaged in illegal activity under any new state laws targeting coercive control and harmful activity in cults and high-demand groups could face regulatory action and have their charitable status revoked, the nation’s charities regulator has confirmed.
In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) said it “may review whether a charity meets the requirements for registration” if a Basic Religious Charity (BRC) breached laws related to addressing coercive control.
However, the ACNC confirmed that it would not be able to take action under its Governance Standard 3, which exempts BRCs – organisations with charity status for ‘advancing religion’ – from having to comply with Australian laws.
The RSA wrote to the ACNC in December seeking clarification following ACNC Commissioner Sue Woodward’s November appearance at the Victorian parliamentary inquiry examining cults and fringe organised groups.
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