But the head of RSL Victoria says it’s just a case of processing some paperwork. 

On Tuesday The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission released a list of organisations at risk of ‘double-defaulting’ on sending in accounting information. 

RSLs across the state are on the list, including Ballarat and Sebastopol sub-branches. 

It is the responsibility of the state branch to make sure that information is up to date. 

Major General David McLachlan (retired) said they were working through the issue. 

“It’s purely a procedural matter,” he said. 

Major General McLachlan said they had to “validate” a lot of information going to the ACNC and that sub-branches were not in any danger of being pinged as ‘double-defaulters’. 

 “They’re not likely to be losing their charitable status,” he said. 

Separately, the Victorian president said the RSL’s fundraising abilities were limited by legislation, and that they would be pushing for some changes to the relevant Act. 

“We’re still very limited in how we can collect funds and how we can use them,” he said. 

The call for 400 Victorian organisations with tax-free status to update their accounts with the regulator has come days before the deadline. 

ACNC commissioner Susan Pascoe said some charities would lose that status if they did not touch base soon. 

“Registered charities must submit an Annual Information Statement to the ACNC each year,” she said.

“These charities have already failed to submit an Annual Information Statement for either 2013 or 2014, and are now just days away from being overdue for 2015 as well.” 

“This means these charities are about to become what we refer to as ‘double defaulters’, which is grounds for revocation of charity status.” 

“We believe a number of these charities have wound up; however some are likely still operating.”