You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers…
What does donating annual leave mean?
Donating annual leave means cashing out and donating a specific amount of your annual leave salary to Vision Australia instead of taking that time off work. The funds that you would normally receive when taking the hours/days off, are gifted to Vision Australia.
Example:
$1,000 gross amount – tax taken out $470 (47% tax rate) – charity receives $530 – charity sends a tax deductible receipt of that amount to the donor. No impact to current pay, with annual leave balance reduced.
What are the benefits of donating annual leave?
Donating annual leave is an easy and streamlined way to make an impact – without it hitting your own personal bottom line. You can raise money for a vital cause and increase corporate social responsibility in a low impact yet innovative way. All your donations are completely tax deductible as well, so you can claim your donation come tax time!
My workplace is already signed up to GO:AL, how can I get involved?
Great! If your workplace is already registered with GO:AL then you are ready to donate your annual leave. Register for GO:AL here.
My workplace hasn’t signed up to GO:AL yet, how can I get started?
If your workplace hasn’t signed up to GO:AL yet, we can easily get you started. Simply fill out this form and we will be in touch shortly to help you begin your GO:AL journey.
Can I claim my donation at tax time?
Yes! We will send you a receipt once your donation has been made and you can claim your donation at the end of the financial year.
How do I know if I’m eligible to donate my annual leave?
In order to be eligible for GO:AL, you must have at least 4 weeks’ (20 days) annual leave left after you have made your donation. You must also have a signed written agreement with your employer that outlines the amount of leave being donated, and the date it will be paid.
Employers have to keep this agreement for the employee’s records.
The donation has to be the same amount of money as what the employee would have been paid if they took the leave, and an employee can’t donate more than 2 weeks (10 days) each 12 months.
You can find out more about donating your annual leave on the Fair Work Australia website.
I’m not eligible for GO:AL but I still want to help, how can I donate to Vision Australia?
If you aren’t eligible for GO:AL yet, you can still get involved. We offer a great workplace giving program which allows employees to donate to Vision Australia through their fortnightly salary. Workplace giving is another great corporate giving option. To find out more send us an email at GOAL@visionaustralia.org and we’ll be in touch soon.
What are the rules around donating annual leave?
- you must retain at least 4 weeks’ annual leave (after the donation)
- the donation of annual leave must be the same as what you would have been paid if you took the leave
- an employer can’t force or pressure you to donate annual leave
- you must have a written agreement with your employer to record the donation
An award or registered agreement may also limit the amount of annual leave you can cash out and donate or the timeframe in which it can be donated. If the award states that you can donate annual leave, you must make a record about the agreement to donate annual leave with your employer on each occasion.
What does the written agreement need to say in it?
The employee/employer agreement must:
- be signed by both the employee and the employer
- state the amount of leave being donated (in hours or days)
- state the amount that will be paid for the donation (in AUD)
- state the date this will be donated be signed by a parent or guardian if the employee is under 18 years of age
Employers must keep a copy of this signed agreement. A GO:AL ‘Employee Agreement’ template is available and can be used as a record for each donation.
More information on cashing out leave, can be found at Fair Work