Processes to re-apply or apply for accreditation from 2026 have been updated.
DFAT accreditation assesses the organisational structure, philosophies, policies and practices of ANGOs. Accreditation is a front-end and rigorous risk-management process. It is also a robust due diligence process for DFAT.
Accreditation ensures the Australian Government is funding professional, well-managed ANGOs that can deliver quality development outcomes that are aligned with the strategic intent of Australia's International Development Policy and are accountable to their stakeholders. It also assures the Australian public that the Australian Government is working with the most effective partners.
ANGOs must gain DFAT accreditation to receive funding under the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP). To gain accreditation, they must demonstrate capacity and performance against a range of indicators. ANGOs may seek accreditation at either Base or Full level.
Accreditation is also a capacity-building tool, enabling ANGOs to reflect on and improve their own performance.
The accreditation process is managed through DFAT’s Accreditation Online Application System, SmartyGrants.
Eligibility
ANGOs wanting to apply for accreditation must meet the following pre-eligibility requirements:
- ANGO has a minimum two-year track record of implementing international development activities that align with ANCP Manual
- ANGO is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) for a minimum two years
- ANGO is a signatory to the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct for a minimum two years
- ANGO is not included on the Proscribed Lists (which include the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Sanctions List; World Bank Listing of ineligible firms and individuals; DFAT consolidated list of all persons and entities who are subject to targeted financial sanctions or travel bans; and the Australian Government Listing of Terrorist Organisations).
- ANGO meets the relevant Recognised Development Expenditure (RDE) threshold ($50,000 minimum, averaged over three years, if applying for base accreditation; or a RDE of $100,000 minimum, averaged over three years, if applying for full accreditation).
- ANGOs that have not previously been accredited will need to submit a completed New Applicants RDE worksheet via SmartyGrants and based on their most recent three years financial information with at least one year's financial statements in the ACFID format, and will need to undergo an RDE assessment by a financial assessor, arranged by DFAT following receipt of the Agency Profile application form. An example of the worksheet is available through the RDE worksheet explanatory notes.
From 2026, new applicants will only be eligible to apply for Base accreditation and will become eligible to seek full accreditation in the next round for new/upgrading applicants which occurs at least two years after the date of the DFAT delegate's decision on Base accreditation.
Applications: Guidance for all applicants
The Australian NGO Accreditation Guidance Manual details the process and eligibility requirements – including the assessment criteria. There are currently two versions of the Australian NGO Accreditation Guidance Manual: 2018 and 2025.
- During 2026, ANGOs may choose whether to re/apply for accreditation under the 2018 Accreditation Criteria Framework (Annex 1, Sections 4 and 5 of the 2018 Australian NGO Accreditation Guidance Manual), or the 2025 Accreditation Criteria Framework. The guidance surrounding the accreditation process as outlined in the 2025 Australian NGO Accreditation Guidance Manual will apply to all applications, regardless of which criteria ANGOs choose to use.
- From 2027, all accreditations will be assessed under the 2025 Australian NGO Accreditation Guidance Manual.
Applications: New and upgrading
ANGOs applying for accreditation for the first time, or ANCP ANGOs seeking to upgrade their accreditation status from Base to Full (outside of their re-accreditation timeframe, in accordance with the requirements outlined in the 2025 Australian NGO Accreditation Guidance Manual), can submit applications online via SmartyGrants between 1 June to 31 August 2026.
The new accreditation 2026 application form and RDE worksheet for new applicants will be made live in SmartyGrants on Monday, 1 June 2026, with a link provided on this page. A version of the application form using the 2018 criteria and a version using the 2025 criteria will be made accessible. Please make sure to select only the appropriate round for the criteria your ANGO is using to apply for Accreditation.
DFAT will progress applications as they are received.
Applications: Reaccreditation
Forms for reaccrediting ANCP ANGOs remain available on SmartyGrants and applications should be submitted in line with an ANGO's reaccreditation cycle as advised by DFAT.
For reaccrediting ANGO applications during 2026, SmartyGrants rounds are available for either the 2018 criteria or the 2025 criteria. Please make sure to select only the appropriate round for the criteria your ANGO is using to apply for Accreditation.
The SmartyGrants round for the Reaccreditation Agency profile application form using the 2025 criteria is now live and available for use. A link to this form has been emailed to ANCP contacts. Please email accreditation@dfat.gov.au if you require the link to this form.
Accreditation resources
Australian NGO Accreditation guidance manual
- 2018 Australian NGO Accreditation guidance manual [PDF 1.76 MB]
- 2018 Australian NGO Accreditation guidance manual [DOCX 685 KB]
The 2025 Australian NGO Accreditation guidance manual is available by emailing accreditation@dfat.gov.au.
- 2025 Accreditation criteria framework [PDF 172 KB]
- 2025 Accreditation criteria framework [DOCX 33 KB]
ANGO Agency profile application form
The ANGO Agency Profile Template is an example of the application form for accreditation, accessed via SmartyGrants. There are versions for the 2018 Accreditation Criteria and the 2025 Accreditation Criteria.
The 2025 ANGO Agency Profile template is available by emailing accreditation@dfat.gov.au.
The A3 Child Safeguards Accreditation Assessment Checklist is to help ANGOs complete Criteria A3. There are versions for the 2018 Accreditation Criteria and the 2025 Accreditation Criteria. The Checklist must be uploaded by ANGOs as part of the Agency Profile.
- 2018 A3 Child Safeguards Accreditation assessment checklist [PDF 120 KB]
- 2018 A3 Child Safeguards Accreditation assessment checklist [DOCX 20 KB]
- 2025 A3 Safeguarding: Accreditation assessment checklist [PDF 113 KB]
- 2025 A3 Safeguarding: Accreditation assessment checklist [DOCX 27 KB]
Recognised Development Expenditure (RDE) Worksheet
New applicants to the ANCP must supply RDE worksheets for the previous three years via the New Applicants RDE worksheet via SmartyGrants, with at least one year’s financial statements in the ACFID format, and meet the RDE pre-eligibility requirements for accreditation. Please find the recognised development expenditure worksheet explanatory notes
DFAT Accreditation and the ACFID Code of Conduct
Both the ACFID Code and DFAT Accreditation outline high standards for ANGOs' structure, governance, policies and practices. Each document serves a different purpose.
To see more details about DFAT Accreditation and the ACFID Code, including a detailed map of DFAT Accreditation criteria and the ACFID Code requirements, please visit Two standards serving different purposes.