---
title: "External Conduct Standards file for a charity operating outside Australia"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/not-for-profit-charities-and-associations/external-conduct-standards-file"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a35-external-conduct-standards-file"
area_id: "A35"
kind: "checklist"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
task_ids: ["A35-T1-R14"]
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-22"
---

# External Conduct Standards file for a charity operating outside Australia

> File for the four ACNC External Conduct Standards, and for whether the charity operates outside Australia at all. It records the steps the charity has taken. It does not say the standards are met.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/not-for-profit-charities-and-associations/external-conduct-standards-file  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

- Kind: Checklist. Steps or checks to work through and tick off.
- Practice area: [Not-for-Profit, Charities & Associations](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/not-for-profit-charities-and-associations.md)
- Jurisdictions: Australia, Commonwealth
- AI level: Yellow. You and the tool draft together, with you directing. You check every statement you rely on.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-22
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-22 against the authority it cites, for Australia and Commonwealth.

## When to use it

Use when a charity sends funds or conducts any activities outside Australia, including a minor activity or a payment through a third party. Nothing is lodged with the ACNC unless the ACNC asks.

## Used for these tasks

- [Build an overseas-activities due-diligence file](https://ailawframework.com/practice/not-for-profit-charities-and-associations/build-an-overseas-activities-due-diligence-file.md)

## How AI may be used

AI may list overseas payments and partner names from the accounts into the file. The lawyer decides whether the standards apply and whether the steps are enough.

**AI may:**

- List overseas payments, countries and partner names from a ledger the lawyer identifies
- Match each payment to one of the four standards as a filing label, not as a conclusion
- Flag a country that has no record

**AI must not:**

- Must not state that the External Conduct Standards are met
- Must not decide that an activity is too small to count
- Must not draft a policy and treat the draft as compliance

**The lawyer checks:**

- Operate outside Australia is tested against the page, including minor activities and third parties
- Each of the four standards has a record, or a note that the detailed standard page is still to be read
- A Basic Religious Charity that operates outside Australia is not treated as exempt
- The detailed pages for each standard, and the page on when the standards do not apply, are read before any advice. They were not opened

## Authorities

- [ACNC, External Conduct Standards (four standards; they apply if the charity operates outside Australia, including a minor activity or a small payment, and including a Basic Religious Charity)](https://www.acnc.gov.au/for-charities/manage-your-charity/governance-hub/acnc-external-conduct-standards)

## Full text and drafting notes

The full text and the drafting notes are not part of this public page. Signed-in firm accounts can read them at https://ailawframework.com/precedents/not-for-profit-charities-and-associations/external-conduct-standards-file and through the signed-in MCP connector https://ailawframework.com/mcp/firm.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*