The Weekly

This week, our focus has been on dialogue with DFAT about the future strategic challenges, opportunities and priorities for the Official Australian Development program and in particular regarding partnership implications for ACFID members. As part of those meetings, a central topic has been the unique and valuable role of ANGOs to achieving the International Development policy. We have had a couple of key meetings that Jamie Isbister has hosted for the sector to discuss these topics – thanks again to those of you who registered and were able to join. We were also encouraged this week to get an update on the Civil Society Partnership Fund from Michael Bergmann. Many of you helped put in submissions about this fund in August and Michael reported that these have been considered and that things are progressing with next steps looking to be imminent. We will continue to keep you updated as we hear more.

Several of you have spoken to me about how AI relates to your work – it is a growing area of focus both for your work in Australia and overseas.. It is also an area that many of us feel a bit behind the curve – and thus we are really excited about the opportunities listed below for free training and a space for shared ACFID learning via the new AI Discussion Group (see below).  

Finally, we are just about sold out of spaces at ACFID conference…and registrations are about to close.  This is truly a final call: Registrations for the ​ACFID National Conference 2025​ close today. Secure your spot now!

To Attend

FINAL CALL – ACFID National Conference 2025 – Registrations close today!

The ACFID National Conference 2025 is almost here! Register now!

Explore our final three concurrent sessions:

• Transforming Development: Towards Justice & Reparations. Hosted by ActionAid. Reimagining development amid declining aid — how tax and debt reform can drive justice, sustainability, and locally led change.
• Transforming Child Sponsorship: Opportunities, Challenges & Future Thinking. Hosted by ChildFund — Satellite Session, Wed 5 Oct, 3:30 – 5pm. An open roundtable on reshaping child sponsorship to foster solidarity and real impact.
• Unconditional Cash Transfers: Could the answer to ending extreme poverty in the next decade be this simple? Hosted by Action on Poverty. Can direct cash redefine development? Dive into evidence, innovation, and impact through choice and agency.

To Attend

ACFID 2026 – 2031 Strategic Planning: CEO Engagement Sessions

ACFID is developing its new 5 year strategic plan and we want all of our members to add your voice to shape our priorities.

We will be doing this as part of our CEO networking events in November. Two of these will be in-person meetings and one will be online. We are hoping that CEOs will be able to attend one of these three events.

Please hold the following dates in your diaries:

• Melbourne Member CEOs: 24 November 6PM – 8PM (venue TBD)
• Sydney Member CEOs: 20 November 6PM – 8 PM (venue TBD)
• Online option for all CEOs: 21 November 10 AM – 12 PM (Teams meeting)

We will send more details in near future but please mark your diaries now!

To Note

Sector Specific Salary Survey

ACFID is currently working on the development of a sector-specific salary survey with an outsourced provider. It is our hope that with enough support from the membership, this survey will provide robust HR data that is fit-for-purpose and tailored to our sector.

Working closely with the HR CoP, a steering group will be formed to engage in November with the design of the survey, particularly focusing on selecting position descriptions that will be included in the survey and suitable for the diversity of our membership. 

If you are interested in being part of the steering group, please contact Rae Lans, [email protected], by 31 October 2025.

To Read

DFAT Fraud and Corruption Control Toolkit

This toolkit provides DFAT’s delivery partners (including service providers and funding recipients) with guidance on developing and implementing fraud and corruption control strategies. Read it here.

To Attend

Opportunities for AI Training – Free Programs Available

Plan International Australia and AVPN are offering a free Training of the Trainer (TOT) program to build AI skills in Australian-based ANGOs. Participants must commit to four 2-hour sessions in Nov–Dec 2025 and train 30+ staff or volunteers afterwards. Training will be led by Digital Development specialist Cecille Villena. Register interest by 31 October via [email protected].

Prefer to join similar training without the TOT elements instead? ACFID will host free Safe, Responsible and Effective AI trainings in early 2026. Express interest here to receive updates.

To Attend

ACFID Code of Conduct Drop-In

The Code team will be hosting it’s online drop-in session again on Tuesday 28 October 2025!

The session will be 1-2pm (AEDT) on Tuesday 28 October 2025. This session will not be recorded and aims to offer an informal space to talk about anything ACFID Code related!

Please come and drop by to meet Whitney and Marvin from the Code team and give feedback or ask your compliance questions.

Log into your MY ACFID account and register your interest here

If you have any questions, please email the Code team at [email protected]

To Attend

AI Discussion Group Launch

To Attend

MAF 80th Anniversary Fundraising Gala

Consultants – String Theory

Skills: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

We work alongside organisations and communities to understand what works, what doesn’t, and how to improve.

We simplify the monitoring and evaluation process so everyone can be part of it.

We seek the views of multiple groups to ensure that as many as possible have a voice.

We don’t just deliver data; we use creative ways to tell the story of a program to ensure findings are meaningful for the intended audiences.

We have decades of experience and have managed over 100 monitoring and evaluation projects across 19 countries. Visit our website to learn more.

Read more here.

Consultants – Athena Board

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

Upcoming Events

Food for thought