ALWS earns top accreditation

Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) has achieved the highest accreditation possible from the Australian Government as a not-for-profit agency.

The accreditation follows a thorough review of aid and development agencies carried out every five years by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and results are linked to government funding and viability. The process aims to give the public confidence that the government is funding well-managed, professional, accountable organisations capable of delivering quality development outcomes.

If agencies pass the review, they receive one of two levels of accreditation – base or full. Full accreditation provides capped funding, along with access to a share of pooled funding which varies annually, depending on government budget allocations.

The full accreditation confirms ALWS is a highly effective organisation which meets strict criteria across a range of areas. Criteria address issues of accountability and transparency, program management, approaches to partnership, risk management and ethical communications and fundraising.

ALWS Executive Secretary Chey Mattner said the accreditation was a welcome endorsement that the Lutheran agency had the right mix of skilled, committed and experienced staff, had chosen the right partners to work with domestically and overseas and that its plans were ‘on the right track’ for at least the next five years.

‘The accreditation should reinforce the confidence our valued supporters have in us because they’re supporting something amazing.  They’ve chosen to be part of our community not just because we’re Lutheran, but because we’re also doing a good job’, Mr Mattner said. ‘Practically, it also means that we can retain 10 per cent of DFAT funding for administration costs, which frees up even more Lutheran dollars to support work which helps and educates people.’

There are 53,812 charities registered in Australia and hundreds of overseas aid and development agencies based in Australia. Approximately 130 sign up to a Code of Conduct under the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID). All agencies undergoing DFAT accreditation must demonstrate their compliance with the code.

ALWS received positive feedback after the review on a range of its systems and procedures. Accreditation review team leader Rhonda Chapman described ALWS as ‘an extremely gracious and honest organisation’. ‘You have a true heart for humanity. Your values of dignity, trust and mutual respect are littered throughout everything you do’, Ms Chapman said.