Who can run a raffle
Eligibility to run a raffle in Australia — it comes down to being a genuine non-profit cause.
Across Australia, raffles are a fundraising tool for community and charitable causes — not a way for individuals or businesses to make a profit. So the first compliance question isn't about your prizes or your states; it's whether your organisation is eligible to run a raffle at all.
The common thread
Every state expects a raffle to be run by — or on behalf of — a genuine non-profit group or cause. The exact wording differs, but the spirit is the same: the money raised goes to the community purpose, not into someone's pocket.
Typical eligible purposes include:
- Charitable, benevolent, or philanthropic causes
- Community, social, or service groups
- Sporting and recreation clubs
- Schools, P&Cs, and educational bodies
- Religious organisations
- Arts, cultural, and scientific bodies
- Animal welfare and environmental causes
What the states tend to require
While the detail is state-specific (see State-by-state rules), the recurring requirements are:
- A non-profit structure. Many states want an incorporated non-profit, or an unincorporated group with a written constitution, a management committee, and a minimum number of members.
- Proceeds to the cause. Net proceeds must go to the approved purpose, not to members or a commercial operator.
- A responsible person. Someone over 18, involved in running the organisation, who takes responsibility for the raffle.
A few states also let an individual run a one-off raffle in special circumstances — for instance, Queensland allows a special licence for a raffle benefiting disaster victims or a disadvantaged person, and RaffleLink has a guided path for it: Fundraise for an individual (QLD). These are narrow exceptions, not the norm.
Fundraising on behalf of a cause
If you're an individual or business wanting to raise money for a charity, you generally can't just run a raffle in your own name — the organisation needs to be the one running it. The right path is for the organisation to set up on RaffleLink and bring you on as an affiliate. See Fundraising for an organisation. (The main exception is Queensland's special licence for a raffle benefiting an individual in need — see Fundraise for an individual (QLD).)
Can our own people buy tickets?
This one surprises organisers, and the answer depends on where you're selling.
In ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, and WA, tickets must not be bought by anyone involved in organising, conducting, promoting, or drawing the raffle — or by members of the management or committee of the benefitting organisation. Tasmania applies the same restriction when you're selling in person (booth or paper tickets), and extends it to the immediate family of anyone involved in conducting or drawing the raffle. Victoria and the Northern Territory don't impose it.
You don't have to do anything to apply this — RaffleLink works it out from your selling states and adds the right wording to your raffle's public terms and conditions automatically. You'll also see it noted when you activate.
Worth saying out loud before you launch
Committee members and volunteers often want to chip in, so it's kinder to mention this early than to explain it after someone's bought a book of tickets. Where the rule applies, it applies to the people running the raffle — not to ordinary members of your organisation.
What about an ABN?
You don't necessarily need an ABN to run a raffle — what matters is being an eligible non-profit cause. Some states or permits ask for registered-entity details, which is where official details come in, but an ABN on its own isn't the test. See ABN and official details.
Eligibility verification is coming
We're adding a step to confirm an organisation's non-profit eligibility when you set up. Until then, it's on you to make sure your organisation genuinely qualifies under your state's rules before running a raffle — the regulator is the place to check if you're unsure.