Carolyn Male MP, State Member for Pine Rivers, said that members of the public can now do a free online check of whether a charity is authorised to collect money in Queensland, thanks to a new search facility on the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) website.

Carolyn Male MP said the new Queensland Charities and Associations Online Register (QCAOR) was developed by the OFT - which registers charities in Queensland - to make information more accessible to people.

“Previously you made a phone call to do a check but now you can simply jump on the website and type in a name,” Carolyn Male MP said.

“The search, which verifies information against a public register of charity records, allows you to see if the organisation you’ve been approached by or are dealing with is authorised to collect money or fundraise in Queensland.”

Carolyn Male MP said most charities did the right thing but from time to time there were organisations which collected without being authorised to do so.

“Confirming a registration is a vote of confidence that the money being donated is for legitimate purposes,” Carolyn Male MP said.

The free facility identifies organisations registered under the Collections Act 1966, which requires organisations wishing to publicly fundraise in Queensland to register with the OFT.

In addition to the search, people who want more specific information about a registered charity could also request documents for a small fee, including audited financial statements which must be lodged annually to account for donations collected.

Through the OFT website you can also do an free online search to confirm the licences of introduction agents , real estate agents, car dealers, second-hand dealers, security providers, tourism service providers and travel agents.

Charity registration and other licence checks can be done by visiting www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or calling 13 13 04.