Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP)
DFAT accreditation assesses the organisational structure, philosophies, policies and practices of Australian NGOs. Accreditation is a front-end and rigorous risk-management process. It is also a robust due diligence process for DFAT.
Accreditation ensures the Australian Government is funding professional, well-managed organisations that can deliver quality development outcomes and are accountable to their stakeholders. It assures the Australian public that the Australian Government is working with the most effective partners.
Australian NGOs must gain DFAT accreditation to receive funding under the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP). To gain accreditation, they must demonstrate capacity and performance against a range of indicators and may seek accreditation at either Base or Full level.
Accreditation is also a capacity-building tool, enabling Australian NGOs to reflect on and improve their own performance.
Eligibility
Australian NGOs wanting to apply for accreditation must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- A minimum two-year track record of implementing international development activities that align with ANCP guidelines
- Be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) for a minimum of two years
- Be a signatory to the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct for a minimum of two years
- Not be included on the Proscribed Lists (which include World Bank Listing of ineligible firms and individuals; the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Sanctions List; the Australian Government Listing of Terrorist Organisations; or DFAT consolidated list of all persons and entities who are subject to targeted financial sanctions or travel bans
- Have a Recognised Development Expenditure (RDE) of $50,000 minimum, averaged over three years, if applying for base accreditation; or a RDE of $100,000 minimum, averaged over three years, if applying for full accreditation.
- ANGOs that have not previously been accredited will need to undergo a RDE assessment by a financial assessor, and will need to complete a New Applicants RDE worksheet via SmartyGrants.
From 2026, new applicants will only be eligible to apply for Base accreditation and will become eligible to seek full level accreditation in the next new/upgrading round which will occur two years after the date of the DFAT delegate's decision.
DFAT Accreditation and the ACFID Code of Conduct
Both the ACFID Code and DFAT Accreditation outline high standards for Australian NGOs’ structure, governance, policies and practices, but they serve different purposes.
To see more details about DFAT Accreditation and the ACFID Code, including a detailed mapping of DFAT Accreditation criteria and the ACFID Code requirements please visit Two standards serving different purposes.
Assessment resources
The Australian NGO Accreditation Guidance Manual details the process and eligibility requirements – including the assessment criteria.
- Australian NGO Accreditation Guidance Manual [PDF 1.76 MB]
- Australian NGO Accreditation Guidance Manual [DOCX 685 KB]
The ANGO Agency Profile Template is an example of the application form.
The A3 Child Safeguards Accreditation Assessment Checklist is to help NGOs complete Criteria A3 – the ANGO has effective child safeguards. This needs to be uploaded as part of the Agency Profile.
- A3 Child Safeguards Accreditation Assessment Checklist [PDF 120 KB]
- A3 Child Safeguards Accreditation Assessment Checklist [DOCX 20 KB]
Refreshed assessment criteria have been issued in 2024 for implementation in the 2026 application round.
- All accreditation for 2025 will continue to be assessed under the existing 2018 Criteria
- 2026 will be a transition year, with ANGOs able to decide whether to apply/reapply under the 2018 Criteria, or the new Criteria in that round only
- From 2027, all assessments will be under the new Criteria.
Updated Guidance Manual materials and ANGO Agency Profile template will be released in due course.
- 2024 Accreditation Criteria Framework [PDF 230 KB]
- 2024 Accreditation Criteria Framework [DOCX 28 KB]
Applications
Australian NGOs applying for accreditation for the first time, or ANCP NGOs seeking to upgrade their accreditation status from Base to Full (outside of their re-accreditation timeframe), can submit applications online between 1 June to 31 August 2025. The new accreditation 2025 application form will be made live on Sunday, 1 June 2025. DFAT will progress applications in the order they are received.