What to look for before you give

You already know what you care about. The question is whether the organisations you support reflect that. Look for charities that are transparent, accountable and working in ways that create long-term change. 

If you want to change lives in the developing world, here are some things to consider. 

ACFID membership means an organisation has committed to a voluntary code of good practice in international development. DFAT accreditation means the Australian Government has independently assessed their capacity to deliver quality outcomes. These are worth checking before you give. 

It is also worth looking for evidence of real impact. According to a 2024 Australian study by Giving What We Can, 87% of donors said they would switch to a more effective charity if they knew about it. Field reports, case studies and stories from the communities being served are a good sign that an organisation is being open about what your donation achieves. 

Don't forget to check that your chosen charity has Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status before you give. You can verify this quickly via the ABN lookup. Donations of $2 or more to a DGR-endorsed charity are tax deductible in Australia. 

In northern Mozambique, families are facing a health crisis that is still unfolding. Since USAID withdrew in early 2025, clinics have lost much of their medicine and their staff, leaving communities with fewer options to protect themselves from preventable diseases. 

Anglican Overseas Aid’s partner, the Diocese of Nampula is doing everything they can to fill the gap. They are training local volunteers and health champions so that families have the knowledge to stop disease before it starts, protecting children from malaria, malnutrition, diarrhoea and HIV.