The Weekly
Matthew Maury, what is at the top of your mind this week?
This Tuesday we had a strong turn out from ACFID members in Sydney to meet with the Minister for International Development Dr Anne Aly.  It was a constructive and candid conversation—see the attached photo—and I want to sincerely thank those who attended and contributed. Your insights helped ensure the Minister heard clearly about sector priorities, while also highlighting the real and immediate impacts of recent fuel cuts on program delivery, particularly in fragile and humanitarian contexts. As a reminder you can find ACFID’s analysis of the impacts of the fuel crisis at this link.
Looking ahead to next week, I encourage members to join us for the ACFID Federal Budget analysis session next Thursday. This will be an opportunity to examine what the Federal Budget means in practice for NGO programs and to reflect on how it aligns with ACFID’s budget submission priorities. This analysis will help ACFID members both in understanding funding settings and in assessing the broader direction for Australia’s development program and its implications for our collective work.Â
Finally, we are asking every member to prioritise your support for our electoral snapshot work, which is critical to demonstrating the breadth and depth of ACFID’s connections across Australian communities. This data underpins our future electoral engagement and advocacy efforts, helping us tell a compelling story about the reach and value of our sector. We have extended the deadline until later this week, or any questions or support, please contact [email protected].
To Register
ACFID National Conference 2026 – Registrations are now open
ACFID National Conference 2026 will bring the sector together in Canberra to share ideas, challenge thinking, and strengthen collaboration.
With the theme Mobilising the Collective: Reshaping Systems for a Just Future, the conference is your moment to connect, get inspired, and be part of shaping what’s next for the sector.
Register your ticket hereÂ
Explore more information on conference, program details, accommodation options and more here.
A reminder that there are still opportunities to contribute to this year’s conference:
Concurrent Sessions | Submit EOI by Friday 5 June 2026 to Anne FitzpatrickÂ
2026 ACFID Awards | Submit nominations by Friday 28 August 2026
To Attend
ACFID Member only Budget BriefingÂ
Following the release of the federal budget on the 12th of May, ACFID is hosting member only – budget briefing on Thursday the 14th. This is a chance to understand how the budget will impact NGO programs and to hear ACFID’s analysis in relation to our budget submission. ACFID expects to share our slides for the event by the close of business on Wednesday the 13th of May.
Date: 14 May 2026
Time: 10:00AM – 11:30AM AESTÂ
Please register ​here.​ Â
To Note
ACFID Electoral Snapshot Survey – Deadline Extended to 8 May
The deadline to complete the ACFID Electoral Snapshot Survey has been extended to 8 May. The survey link was initially shared via email with CEOs and nominated survey contacts. If you haven’t yet had a chance to respond, we encourage you to do so before the new closing date.
For any questions or support, please contact [email protected].
To Register
Strong Demand for Safe, Responsible and Effective AI Training – New Sessions Now Available
Alongside Plan International Australia, ACFID has been supporting in the delivery of AI training for our member organisations. To date, 150 staff across the membership have already taken part. Thanks to strong interest, additional sessions are now open (officially starting mid-May) and available for registration here.
To Join
ACFID in Brisbane – June 2026
The ACFID Secretariat will be in Brisbane this June, and members and sector colleagues are invited to join us for two in‑person events focused on connection, learning, and engagement.
ACFID Connect: Brisbane (Â Members only )Â
As part of ACFID’s 2026 series of in‑person networking events, ACFID Connect: Brisbane brings staff from ACFID member organisations together to share insights, strengthen relationships, and connect directly with the ACFID Secretariat.
This informal event provides a space to meet peers, exchange ideas, and strengthen connections across the international development and humanitarian sector.
Date: 3 June 2026
Time: 3:30PM – 5:30PM AEST
Venue: Kyeema Foundation, Brisbane | Register​ here​
Introduction to the Sector – Open to allÂ
Free for small ACFID members | Discounted for other ACFID members
ACFID is hosting a one‑day, face‑to‑face introductory workshop for staff, board members, and others who are new to the international development and humanitarian sector. This participatory workshop will include:
– An overview of the history of international development and humanitarian action
– An introduction to ACFID’s role and the ACFID Code
– Guest speakers from DFAT and ACFID member organisations
– Opportunities for networking and further learning
Date: 4 June 2026
Time: 9:00AM – 4:30PM AEST
Venue: Brisbane (TBC) | Register​ here​
To Action
We’re now inviting photo submissions for the ACFID Annual Report 2025–2026. This is an opportunity to showcase your work and highlight the impact of your organisation across the sector. We welcome high-quality images that reflect programs, partnerships, and communities.
Please send your submissions to Win Mrat at [email protected], including captions and photo credits.
To Attend
ACFID Code of Conduct Drop-In
The Code team will be hosting its second online drop‑in session for 2026!
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 the Code team and give feedback or ask your compliance questions.
Date: 13 May 2026Â
Time: 3:00PM – 4:00PM AEST
Log into your MY ACFID account and register your interest ​here​
If you have any questions, please email the Code team at ​[email protected]​
Consultants
Clear Horizon – 15% off MEL courses
Clear Horizon is a values-driven, B-Corp certified, women-led company. We support teams and organisations to monitor, evaluate, learn and ultimately to improve the impact of their strategies, programs and initiatives. We have nearly 20 years of experience in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) across the international development sector, including working with DFAT, MFAT, World Bank, United Nations, INGOs and managing contractors. We work across a range of sectors including social and economic development, gender equality, disability inclusion, democracy and civil society strengthening, health, education, infrastructure, climate change and disaster resilience, and agriculture.
We are currently offering the ACFID Network 15% off the cost of five courses commencing in 2026. Check them out 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.
Upcoming Events
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Events  |
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12 May  |
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13 May  |
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13 May  |
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14 May  |
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14 May  |
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3 June |
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4 June |
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12 – 14 October  |