Update: If you are making a donation over $2 or more, depending on the fund you might be able to claim it back on tax. The government has set up a $2 Billion relief fund, with the potential to grow into a larger fund if needed. Remember the Australian government gives $29 billion in subsidies to fossil fuels - your taxpayer dollar! Claim back as much as you can and give them the bill.
Most funds will automatically send you a deductible gift recipient (DGR) which you can use to claim. Below are some links that explain how to claim your donation back:
https://www.etax.com.au/claim-tax-deductible-donations/
TYPE | ORGANISATION | PAYMENT DETAILS | NOTES | WEBSITE |
AUSTRALIA WIDE | ||||
Blood donation | Red Cross | - | If you can't afford to give money or essential items, donating blood – if you're eligible to do so – could be an option for you. | |
Volunteering | Red Cross | - | - | |
Koalas Crisis Appeal | WWF | paypal available for international donations | Donations through website. | https://www.wwf.org.au/get-involved/bushfire-emergency#gs.pwww27 |
Wildlife Fund | Warriors for Wildlife | Credit card only | Donations through website. | |
Australian Lions Foundation | Australian Lions Foundation | N/A | donations through website. | |
Individual items / Corporate donations of goods and services | GIVIT | - | GIVIT is an online service that lets you see what is needed and urgently required in your community and connects you to trusted charities. | |
Fire Relief Fund | Fire Relief Fund for First Nations Communities | paypal available for international donations | - | https://au.gofundme.com/f/fire-relief-fund-for-first-nations-communities |
Tree-planting | Carbon Neutral Charitable Fund | paypal available for international donations | Donations through website. | |
Rural Aid | paypal available for international donations Account Name: Rural Aid Ltd St George BSB: 114 879, Acct No: 439 938 530 Ref: (Your Name) OR Account Name: Rural Aid Ltd NAB BSB: 082 309, Acct No: 745 755 088 Ref: (Your Name) | Australia’s largest rural charities. Donations through website or via direct depoist | ||
VICTORIA | ||||
Fire Briagades in Victora | CFA Brigades Donations Fund - donations to a specific brigade | Account Name: CFA Brigades Donation Fund BSB: 063 225 Account: 1022 0603 Branch: Forest Hill - 23 Mahoneys Road, Forest Hill Vic 3131 Ref: Brigade name | enter brigade name for donations to specific brigade | |
Fire Briagades in Victora - general donations | Country Fire Authority Public Fund - for general donations | Account Name: Country Fire Authority Public Fund BSB: 063 225 Account: 1022 2326 Branch: Forest Hill - 23 Mahoneys Road, Forest Hill Vic 3131 | general donations | |
Fire Briagades in Victora - funraising kit | CFA | - | kit for funrasing guidelines for external organisations | |
Food Bank | - | able to donate food and monetary donations | ||
Bushfire Disaster Appeal | Bushfire Disaster Appeal -CFA | Accepts international payments | donations through website, can also be made at any Bendigo Bank branch . also listed on the Emergency Victora website | https://www.communityenterprisefoundation.com.au/make-a-donation/bushfire-disaster-appeal/ |
Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund | Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund | paypal available for international donations | Donations through website. | |
Disaster Relief Fund - VIC & NSW | Red Cross | Credit card option only | Donations through website. | https://www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-relief-and-recovery-new-years-eve |
Wildlife Victoria | Wildlife Victoria | paypal available for international donations | Donations through website. | |
Mallacoota Wildlife Shelter | Mallacoota Wildlife Shelter | direct bank transfers only. S A Johns Mallacoota Wildlife Shelter, BSB 062649 Ac 10126146 | donations via banking details on FB post. include your name as a refenence | https://www.facebook.com/Mallacoota-Wildlife-Shelter-183833965703647/ |
NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||
Fire Briagades in NSW | NSW Rural Fire Service | Account Name: NSW Rural Fire Service Bank: Westpac BSB: 032-001 Account No: 171051 | donations can also be done through website | https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/support-your-local-brigade |
Fire Briagades in NSW | NSW Rural Fire Service | for international donations, select 'other' in country section. credit card only. | Donations through website. | |
Disaster Relief Fund - VIC & NSW | Red Cross | Cerdit card option only | Donations through website. | https://www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-relief-and-recovery-new-years-eve |
MidCoast Bush Fire Relief | Organized by the Lions Club via gofundme | paypal available for international donations | Donations through website. | |
Wytaliba community bushfire devastation | - | paypal available for international donations | Donations through website. | |
wildlife victims fund | WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service) | paypal available for international donations | Donations through website. At this point WIREs have recvied over 10mil in donations, and only operates within NSW. consider donating to a wildlife charity in another state. | |
Emergency Housing | Airbnb | - | offer spaces for victims of fires or find a place to stay | |
The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital | The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital | paypal available for international donations | https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-thirsty-koalas-devastated-by-recent-fires | |
RSPCA wildlife appeal | RSPSA | paypal available for international donations | Donations through website. | |
QUEENSLAND | ||||
Fire Brigades donations | Rural Fire Brigades Association in Queensland | Cerdit card option only | Donations through website | |
Emergency Volunteering | Volunteering Queensland | - | - | |
Koala Care Fund | Koalas In Care Inc. | paypal available for international donations | Donations through website | http://www.koalasincare.org.au/?fbclid=IwAR2d35r6qbQGPKO2lRRl7dutV8XtXI4qP3QAVQ2nORDKRNHA7rN5aG3DSJ4 |
SOUTH AUSTRALIA | ||||
Fire Brigades donations | Rural Fire Brigades Association in Queensland | - | Donations through website | |
State Emergency Relief Fund | South Australian Government | State Emergency Relief Fund, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, BSB 065 266, Account 10020160, Description must state ‘donation’ | can also donate directly on website | |
Adelaide Koala & Wildlife Hospital | Adelaide Koala & Wildlife Hospital | paypal available for international donations | Donations through website | |
I can’t afford to donate, what else can I do to help?
Switching Banks
Since 2008, the big four banks have loaned over $70 Billion to fossil fuel projects in Australia alone.
Compare your bank as to what they contribute to fossil fuels and if climate conscious. Select a bank that supports climate policies, is carbon neutral, doesn’t back fossil fuels.
UBank offer ‘Green Term Deposits’ that invest in green technologies for example. Bank Australia does not lead to fossil fuel and has been carbon neutral since 2011. Although a bank might not lend to fossil fuels, banks such as Bendigo Bank and Adelaide Bank has twice failed to confirm its support for the Paris climate change agreement when asked at its annual general meeting.
The website below helps outline where banks align themselves, and you can put them on notice:
https://www.marketforces.org.au/info/compare-bank-table/
Switching banks can be a bit messy, but this government checklist outlines the easiest way to go about it. Follow the steps listed to ensure a smooth transfer:
https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/managing-your-money/banking/switching-bank-accounts
Some banks even allow users to vote on what profits are invested in.
Switch you Super Fund
Again, Market Forces summarizes what supers invest in what. Key to choosing a good super is picking one that is transparent about it’s investments:
https://www.marketforces.org.au/superfunds/
The following supers are known for their green policies and transparency:
https://www.myfuturesuper.com.au/
https://www.australianethical.com.au/super/
Most supers will move your funds over for you from your pre-existing super. The only thing you’ll have to do once you switch is to notify your employer of the change.
Switch Energy Providers
The power market in Australia is one of the worst offenders when it comes to green policies, mainly due to little consumer pressure. It’s worth noting your current provider might offer carbon neutral plans, but don’t advertise them. They might switch you over for free if you threaten to leave.
The following offer either carbon Neutral plans and/or green plans:
https://www.energyaustralia.com.au/home/bills-and-accounts/go-neutral