The Weekly
The ACFID Conference is approaching quickly, and I know many of our members plan to come but have not yet registered. If this is you, now is the time to register (see more info below in the newsletter). For member CEOs in particular, we want to remind you of the parliamentary lobbying round, which is taking place immediately prior to and is a great opportunity to speak up about the issues shaping the next Federal Budget priorities for the official development expenditure. There is also the 60th Anniversary of ACFID event immediately after the AGM which is being hosted by the Governor General (and past ACFID) President Sam Mostyn. This event has limited spaces, so we encourage you to get your place secured ASAP.
This week, ACFID has continued to ramp up its work with both DFAT and the Attorney General’s office to help secure a humanitarian exemption to address the legal barriers facing ANGOs working in countries facing sanctions (Afghanistan, Syria, Myanmar, and Gaza, to name a few). If you are interested in the work underway to try and bring about this legislative change and have not had a chance to get an update, please contact me directl,y and I can provide more information.
To Action
Managing Your MYACFID Portal Access: Know Your Organisation’s Primary Contact
A friendly reminder to all members to keep your organisation’s details up to date in the MYACFID portal- especially when key staff change.
Each organisation has a designated Primary Contact who is responsible for managing their organisation’s ACFID account and ensuring that staff records are accurate. This person has special permissions in MYACFID, allowing them to:
- Update the organisation’s profile (e.g. contact details, addresses)
- Add or remove staff and manage their access
- Assign key roles (e.g. EA contact, finance contact, media contact)
If you’re unsure who your organisation’s Primary Contact is, please reach out to [email protected] for assistance.
To Attend
Welcome to our new Membership and Engagement Advisor
It is with great pleasure that we introduce Tamara Manson as ACFID’s new Membership and Engagement Advisor. Tamara brings a wealth of experience from her work with Fulbright Australia and The Australian National University. With a background in grants management, program management, and partnerships, she is excited to join the team and connect with our members. Tamara is passionate about advancing equity and social justice, with a strong belief in the power of education, research, and lifelong learning to create meaningful change.
Please join us in making Tamara feel welcome as you start connecting with her in the coming months.
To Action
Call for Case Study Nominations – ANGOs as Strategic Delivery Partners
ACFID is conducting a sector review to highlight the impact and unique value of Australian NGOs (ANGOs) as strategic delivery partners in achieving development outcomes under Australia’s International Development Policy.
We invite members to nominate case studies that showcase best practice in one or more of the following themes: Value for money; Localisation; GEDSI/inclusion; Climate change; Civil society development; Sustainability; Risk management; and, Agility.
Submit your project details via this form by Friday, 5th September. Multiple submissions and consortium examples are welcome.
To Action
Career Opportunity! ACFID is looking for an External Relations Coordinator
We’re looking for our next External Relations Coordinator to lead ACFID’s communications and strengthen our voice across media, digital platforms and publications. This is a great opportunity to apply your creativity and strategic skills while making an impact in Australia’s international development and humanitarian sector.
Read more and apply here
To Note
CCC Meeting Update & Nominations
The Code of Conduct Committee (CCC) meets four times each year. The CCC recently met on Friday 8 August 2025 for its third meeting and here is a summary of the day. The next CCC meeting will be in Canberra on Friday 7 November 2025.
Four elected member positions on the CCC will be open for nomination ahead of ACFID’s AGM on 5 November 2025. Representatives from any ACFID member are encouraged to nominate. ACFID provides support for members to attend CCC meetings.
Read more to find out how!
To Attend
Parliamentary ACFID CEOs Lobbying Round, 2025:
Ahead of the Conference, ACFID will facilitate our annual Lobbying Round on Tuesday, 4 and the morning of Wednesday, 5 November. Member CEOs will meet with parliamentarians to advocate on the sector’s most pressing issues. This will be the only Lobbying Round held in 2025.
If you are available to participate, please complete this form with your details and availability at the bottom above. Meeting times will be confirmed closer to the date, but we kindly request that you keep your selected times available unless otherwise notified.
For questions about the Lobbying Round, please contact Naomi at [email protected]
To Attend
The ACFID National Conference 2025 is fast approaching.
On 5–6 November, we’ll gather in Canberra for two days of connection, collaboration, and bold conversations shaping the future of international development and humanitarian action. Make sure you’ve secured your spot. Register here
To Attend
AP4D Event: Diversity in Development, Diplomacy and Defence
Australia’s diversity is an invaluable asset for its international engagement, providing a deep and broad reservoir of perspectives and experiences. As Minister Wong put it in a 2023 National Press Club address: “our national power, more than anything else, comes from our people”. Against a backdrop of rising hostility toward diversity, equity and inclusion, there is added impetus to consolidate and build upon progress already achieved.
Join us on Thursday 21 August, 12:00-1:30pm (Canberra time) to hear from a distinguished panel on their experiences leading positive change across Australia’s development, diplomacy and defence communities.
Speakers include:
- Senator Jordon Steele-John, Greens spokesperson for Disability Inclusion and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Youth and Health & Mental Health
- Dr Carolyn Bull, Director of RAND Australia
- Dr Elise Stephenson, Deputy Director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership
- David Poulton, President and Co-Founder of the Association of First Nations Australians in Development
- Professor Maria Rost Rublee, President of Women in International Security – Australia
- Dr Se Youn Park, Director of Research at Women in International Security – Australia
Who: Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D) and Women in International Security – Australia
Date: Thursday, 21 August
Time: 12:00-1:30 pm (Canberra time)
Register: via Zoom at here
Consultants
Exclusive Offer – Transform Your Board & Committee Governance
Athena Board is proud to partner with ACFID to help not-for-profits save time, secure documents,and improve governance.
Trusted by charities, international aid agencies, and community organisations across Australia,Athena Board’s secure platform makes it easy to collate, produce, and share board materials while protecting sensitive information. ISO27001 certified and fully encrypted, it’s built to meet the highest standards of security – at a price designed for the NFP sector.ACFID members receive 10% off Athena Board’s already low NFP rates, giving you a high-performing,low-cost solution to:
• Reduce admin time and streamline meeting preparation
• Strengthen governance and compliance
• Provide directors with tools like digital voting, annotations, conflict registers, and offline access
Upgrade your governance with a platform your board will actually enjoy using. Read more here
Food for thought
Amid Western aid cuts, AP4D Senior Policy Analyst Heather Wrathall see’s opportunity for Australia to work with Asian partners and forge new models of development cooperation.
“The global retreat from development assistance is not just a loss for the world’s poorest. It is a test of global resilience, cooperation, and leadership. Faced with this challenge, Australia has chosen to preserve its development program. Now is the time to lead with purpose, alongside partners like Korea and Japan, and in collaboration with business.
Jobs
External Relations Coordinator | ACFID | Read more here
Food for thought
Amid Western aid cuts, AP4D Senior Policy Analyst Heather Wrathall see’s opportunity for Australia to work with Asian partners and forge new models of development cooperation.
“The global retreat from development assistance is not just a loss for the world’s poorest. It is a test of global resilience, cooperation, and leadership. Faced with this challenge, Australia has chosen to preserve its development program. Now is the time to lead with purpose, alongside partners like Korea and Japan, and in collaboration with business.
Upcoming Events
|
Date |
Event |
|
04 September |
ACFID Safeguarding CoP |
|
03 September |
|
|
17 September |
Green Climate Fund Member Consultation |
|
5 & 6 November |