NFP directors are governing in a more demanding environment. Boards are expected to understand their legal duties, oversee financial sustainability, manage conflicts, protect vulnerable people, respond to privacy and cyber risks, and demonstrate active oversight of compliance and public trust.

Many NFPs are also facing rising costs, funding pressure, increased service demand and difficulty recruiting experienced directors. At the same time, expectations from regulators, funders, donors and communities continue to grow.

This course gives directors a practical foundation in the essentials: how the legal framework works, how to participate effectively in board meetings, how to read and challenge financial information, and how to apply directors’ duties to real NFP governance scenarios.

This course is designed for:

• directors and committee members of registered charities;
• directors of not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee;
• committee members of incorporated associations;
• members of boards, councils and management committees;
• CEOs, executive officers, company secretaries and senior managers who support NFP boards;
• members of finance, audit, risk, nominations or governance committees;
• prospective directors preparing for their first NFP board role;
• organisations seeking a structured induction course for new directors.

The course is suitable for small volunteer-led organisations, medium-sized charities and larger regulated NFPs. The governance expectations discussed in the course are applied proportionately.

This course is NFP-specific, legally grounded and practical. It is designed to support director induction, continuing professional development and board capability for Australian charities and not-for-profit organisations. It helps directors understand their responsibilities, ask better questions, recognise escalation points and document responsible oversight.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• understand the legal form, regulator and governing documents that apply to their organisation;
• explain the role of the ACNC, ACNC Governance Standards and directors’ duties;
• prepare for and contribute effectively to board meetings;
• read and challenge board papers, minutes, financial reports and risk reports;
• understand conflicts of interest, confidentiality, privilege and board records;
• read financial statements at the level expected of every director;
• understand restricted funds, reserves, going concern, audit and financial sustainability;
• recognise when operational issues become board-level governance matters;
• ask better questions about privacy, AI, automated decision-making, WHS, cyber risk, safeguarding and fundraising;
• document board oversight and follow-up

Practical tools and resource pack

Participants receive a downloadable resource pack with board-ready tools, checklists and templates, including:

• director induction checklist;
• board meeting preparation checklist;
• minutes review checklist;
• conflicts of interest declaration and register template;
• board AI use protocol;
• financial statements review checklist for non-financial directors;
• risk register and risk appetite guide;
• reserves and financial sustainability review framework;
• regulatory and reporting calendar;
• scenario-based directors’ duties reference pack;
• board escalation and crisis governance tools.

Director Essentials for Not-for-Profits has been developed by Sibenco, led by Dr Susan Bennett. The course translates legal and regulatory obligations into practical boardroom judgement, questions, records and oversight disciplines that directors can apply in real NFP governance settings.

The course is designed for directors who need practical, legally grounded training that is specific to Australian charities and not-for-profit organisations, rather than generic corporate governance content.

The course is delivered online in four integrated modules, which each take approximately 3 hours, totalling approximately 12 hours of structured learning. Modules build sequentially: Module 1 establishes the legal and regulatory foundation; Module 2 addresses how the board operates; Module 3 addresses the most important subject matter the board oversees, namely the financial position and reporting of the organisation, and the risk framework that supports it; Module 4 deepens the broader directors' duties and tests application through scenario-based learning.

Optional sub-sector overlays are available alongside the core course, providing approximately 30 to 45 minutes of sector-specific content for directors aged care providers, NDIS providers, schools, arts and culture organisations, sport and recreation organisations, and professional and member associations. Overlays are described in the dedicated section following the Module 4 outline.

Each core module includes a 20-question knowledge review. Participants must achieve at least 75%, being 15 out of 20 correct, to complete the module.

Each optional sub-sector overlay includes a 10-question knowledge review. Participants must achieve at least 80%, being 8 out of 10 correct, to complete the overlay.

Participants may attempt each knowledge review up to three times.

Module 1: NFP Governance Foundations and the Regulatory Framework

Understand the legal and regulatory foundations of NFP governance, including legal form, charity status, ACNC registration, the ACNC Governance Standards, External Conduct Standards, governing documents, members, mission and reporting obligations.

Module 2: In the Boardroom (Meetings, Minutes, AI and Boardroom Practice)

Learn how NFP boards operate in practice, including the roles of the chair, directors, CEO and company secretary, board papers, meetings, minutes, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, privilege, CEO oversight and the responsible use of AI in board processes.

Module 3: Financial Oversight, Reporting and the Director's Duty

Build the financial literacy directors need to read, understand and challenge financial statements. Covers the Centro principles, ACNC reporting tiers, restricted funds, reserves, going concern, audit, financial sustainability, risk management and insolvent trading.

Module 4: Directors' Duties in Practice (Scenarios and Compliance)

Apply directors’ duties to realistic NFP governance scenarios, including WHS and psychosocial hazards, safeguarding, whistleblowing, privacy, automated decision-making, AI in program delivery, cyber security, fundraising integrity, overseas partners, sanctions, modern slavery, advocacy, reputation and crisis governance.

Optional Add-ons for sector-specific expertise

Optional sub-sector overlays may be added to the core course. Each overlay provides approximately 45 minutes of specialist content, a 10-question knowledge review, and recognition of completion. The overlays are designed for directors and committee members whose organisations operate in sectors with additional regulatory, operational or stakeholder obligations.

• Aged care providers
• Arts and culture
• Foundations, ancillary funds and philanthropic entities
• Health and community services
• International development and overseas aid
• NDIS providers
• Schools
• Sport and recreation

• 100% online and self-paced via the Sibenco Governance learning portal at www.sibenco.com
• Approximately 12 hours of total structured learning time across four modules
• Knowledge review quiz of 20 questions per module
• Downloadable resource pack including templates, checklists and reference materials
• Certificate of Completion issued by Sibenco Governance on successful completion of all four modules
• 12 months ongoing access to course content and updates
• Optional sub-sector overlays for aged care providers, NDIS providers, schools, arts and culture, sport and recreation.
• Optional facilitated board induction sessions led by Dr Susan Bennett available on application

All prices are in Australian dollars and exclude GST. Pricing below is recommended pricing, to be confirmed and reflected on the Sibenco website at point of launch.

Course Fee

Standard registration

$795 + GST Includes all four modules, resource pack, knowledge reviews, Certificate of Completion and 12 months access.

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Small charity concession

$495 + GST For charities with annual revenue under $500,000.

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Group pricing

3 to 9 participants: $675 + GST per participant 10+ participants: $625 + GST per participant

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Optional Add-on Overlay per sector $125 plus GST per participant

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Board Induction Package

Price on application

Includes course access and a facilitated board session tailored to the organisation’s governance priorities.

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Access

Participants receive 12 months access to the course content, resource pack and any updates issued during that period from the date of enrolment.

Do I need a legal background to take this course? No. The course assumes no legal background. It explains legal concepts in practical terms relevant to NFP directors and committee members.

Do I need a financial background to take Module 3? No. Module 3 is designed to equip directors without a financial background to read, understand and challenge financial statements at the level expected of every director under ASIC v Healey (the Centro case). The module is structured around the financial literacy that every director should have, not the technical skills of an accountant.

Is the course suitable for new directors? Yes. The course is designed for new and existing directors. It explains legal, financial and governance concepts in practical terms and can be used as part of director induction.

Is this course suitable for small charities? Yes. The course is designed to be applied proportionately. A small volunteer-led organisation will not need the same systems as a large registered provider, but every board should understand duties, escalation, financial oversight, conflicts and basic compliance risks.

Is this course suitable for incorporated associations? Yes. The course addresses companies limited by guarantee, incorporated associations and other common NFP legal forms. It explains where Commonwealth, State and Territory frameworks interact.

What is the focus of this course? The course focuses on the essentials of NFP governance, the legal and regulatory framework, the practice of board operation, the financial oversight responsibilities of directors, and the application of directors' duties to realistic NFP scenarios. It is comprehensive in scope and grounded in current Australian law and regulator guidance, while being delivered in a self-paced online format that fits around the reality of NFP director time and resourcing.

Does the course cover ACNC Governance Standards? Yes. The course covers the ACNC Governance Standards, External Conduct Standards and the practical implications for Responsible Persons.

Will this course satisfy ACNC requirements for director knowledge? The ACNC does not formally accredit director training courses. ACNC Governance Standard 4 requires charities to take reasonable steps to ensure that Responsible Persons are not disqualified, and Governance Standard 5 requires charities to take reasonable steps to ensure that Responsible Persons understand and comply with their duties. Completion of this course helps boards demonstrate that reasonable steps have been taken to support directors and Responsible Persons to understand their duties.

Does the course cover AI and privacy? Yes. The course covers AI in board processes, AI in program delivery, privacy governance, notifiable data breaches and the automated decision-making transparency obligations commencing on 10 December 2026.

Does the course cover financial oversight? Yes. Module 3 focuses on financial reporting, reading financial statements, restricted funds, reserves, going concern, audit, financial sustainability and insolvent trading.

What if my organisation operates overseas? Module 1 covers the ACNC External Conduct Standards, which apply to charities that operate or use third parties to operate outside Australia. The course flags the practical implications and signposts further specialist guidance where required.

Will I receive a certificate? Yes. Participants who complete the four modules and pass the knowledge reviews receive a Certificate of Completion issued by Sibenco Governance.

How long do I have access to the course? Participants receive 12 months access to the course content, resource pack and updates issued during that period.

Is the course accredited? No. The course is not a formal accreditation, certification or compliance guarantee. It is practical governance training designed to support director induction, CPD and board capability.

Can a whole board complete the course together? Yes. Group pricing and a facilitated Board Induction Package are available for boards that want a shared governance baseline and a structured discussion of practical next steps.

Can the course be tailored for my organisation? Yes. A facilitated Board Induction Package is available for boards that wish to undertake the course collectively, with a tailored discussion of governance priorities for the organisation, led by Dr Susan Bennett or another senior Sibenco Governance facilitator. Contact Sibenco Governance for details.

This course is provided for general information and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, regulatory, cybersecurity, financial, risk, assurance or other professional advice. Completion does not guarantee compliance with any law, regulation, guidance or standard. Participants and organisations should obtain professional advice appropriate to their circumstances.

Course materials, templates, tools, scenarios and examples are provided for participant learning and professional development. They must not be copied, shared, republished, uploaded into AI systems, used to create external training or advisory products, or otherwise used except as permitted by Sibenco’s terms.

View full Terms of Business here

Source

This course forms part of Director Essentials for Not-for-Profits, developed and delivered by Sibenco Pty Ltd.

Intellectual property

All intellectual property rights in the course materials, module content, slides, templates, checklists, scenarios, tools, assessments, resource pack and related materials are owned by Sibenco Pty Ltd, unless otherwise stated. All rights are reserved.

Permitted participant use

Course participants may use the materials for their own personal learning and professional development.

Restrictions on use

The materials must not be copied, reproduced, adapted, modified, distributed, published, uploaded, shared, sold, licensed, sublicensed or otherwise made available to any other person or organisation, except as expressly permitted in writing by Sibenco Pty Ltd.

The materials must not be used to develop, deliver or support any external course, workshop, consulting service, advisory product, client deliverable, training programme, template library, publication or commercial offering, whether free or paid, without prior written permission from Sibenco Pty Ltd.

The materials must not be uploaded into, ingested by, used to train, fine-tune, prompt, populate or benchmark any AI system, knowledge base, chatbot, template library or searchable repository, except as expressly agreed in writing by Sibenco Pty Ltd.

No external advisory or training use

Consultants, advisers, training providers and other organisations must not use the course materials, tools, templates, scenarios or resource pack to provide services to clients, develop competing or derivative training, or create external governance materials, unless expressly agreed in writing by Sibenco.

Attribution

Suggested attribution: Sibenco, Director Essentials for Not-for-Profits.

Contact For further information about courses, workshops and tailored board briefings contact susan.bennett@sibenco.com.