Gifts of $2 or more (a threshold set in 1936 and not altered since) to approved organisations may be claimed as a tax deduction (1997 Act Division 30). Receipts should be kept as evidence.

In general, approved organisations include charities, public or non-profit hospitals, public health institutions, various public educational bodies, public libraries, art galleries and museums. These bodies must be endorsed by the ATO as deductible gift recipients (Subdivision 30—BA), and they should indicate their status on their receipts.

The ATO can advise whether any particular body qualifies; many are named in the Act.

If the gift is of property rather than money, a deduction will not be allowed unless the property was purchased within 12 months of the gift.