What ACFID does

ACFID (Australian Council for International Development) is a membership-based peak body founded in 1965 (originally as ACFOA, rebranded to ACFID in 2019) and headquartered in Deakin (Canberra), ACT. It represents 130 Full Members and 22 Affiliate Members operating in more than 90 developing countries, and its principal customers are Australian non-government organisations active in international development and humanitarian action. ACFID serves as the sector's coordinating voice, providing policy advocacy to the Australian Government (notably DFAT via the Australian NGO Cooperation Program/ANCP), operating the ACFID Code of Conduct as a voluntary self-regulatory framework, and delivering member services including training, an e-learning platform (Learn With ACFID), an interactive NGO Aid Map, the annual State of the Sector Report, a National Conference, and consolidated emergency appeals.

ACFID's product portfolio is non-software: it comprises standards frameworks, training programs, interactive maps, research reports, events, and member portals. The technology stack is conventional web infrastructure (WordPress-based website at acfid.asn.au, Microsoft PowerApps member portal via acfid.powerappsportals.com). The NGO Aid Map is an interactive data tool cataloguing member projects globally, and the Code of Conduct operates as a 9-principle, 33-commitment, 92-indicator compliance framework with an independent complaints mechanism chaired (as of 2025) by Alan Cameron AO.

The business model rests on three revenue streams: membership fees (Full and Affiliate membership categories, pricing not publicly disclosed), training and event revenue (per-course fees ranging from $189 to $354 for non-members, with 15% member discounts; advertisement pricing from $55 to $330), and government partnerships/grants via DFAT. CEO Matthew Maury leads a small secretariat of 11-50 staff. The organisation is governed by an elected Board, ACFID Council, and expert committees under President Sam Mostyn and Vice President Ian Wishart. The annual report for 2024-25 is the most recently disclosed governance output, and the National Conference 2026 (12-14 October, Canberra) is the next flagship sector convening.

Name

ACFID

Legal name

Australian Council for International Development

Website

https://acfid.asn.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ACFID is a membership-based peak body founded in 1965 that represents 130 Australian NGOs and 22 affiliates working in international development and humanitarian action, providing policy advocacy, Code of Conduct compliance, training, and sector coordination.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Development Sector Coordination

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Disaster Response Coordination & Incident Command (EOC/ICS) (HLAJAGAB)

Keywords

• International development advocacy
• NGO sector coordination
• Humanitarian emergency appeals
• Code of conduct compliance
• Capacity building training

Headquarters

HQ city

Deakin

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: ACFID generates revenue through membership fees from Full Members and Affiliate Members. Two types of organisational membership: Full Membership and Affiliate Membership.
2. Government Grants and Partnerships: ACFID receives funding and partnerships from the Australian Government, including through DFAT and the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
3. Training and Events: Revenue from training programs, conference registrations, and event sponsorship packages. Training courses offered at various price points for members and non-members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ACFID is a membership-based peak body that unites and represents Australian non-government organisations working in international development and humanitarian action. It delivers value to members through policy advocacy with the Australian Government, the ACFID Code of Conduct self-regulatory framework, training and e-learning programs, an annual national conference, an interactive NGO Aid Map, sector research, and the coordination of consolidated emergency humanitarian appeals.

Product overview

ACFID (Australian Council for International Development) is a membership-based peak body organization rather than a traditional SaaS product company. Its core offerings include the ACFID Code of Conduct (a voluntary regulatory framework for NGO members), the interactive NGO Aid Map, the Learn With ACFID e-learning platform, annual National Conferences, the State of the Sector Report, training programs, consolidated emergency appeals, and a resources library. These products and services function as member benefits and sector coordination tools rather than a unified software platform with modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ACFID Code of Conduct A voluntary, self-regulatory industry code of good practice for Australian NGOs involved in international development and humanitarian action. Covers 9 Quality Principles, 33 Commitments, and 92 Compliance Indicators covering program effectiveness, fundraising, governance, and financial reporting. Available to ACFID member organisations.
• NGO Aid Map An interactive mapping tool that allows the Australian public and stakeholders to explore the work of ACFID Members around the world, illustrating the breadth and depth of member projects across developing countries.
• Learn With ACFID An e-learning platform providing educational courses and training modules for ACFID members and the broader development sector, covering topics such as the Code of Conduct, climate action, safeguarding (PSEAH), child protection, fraud and corruption, and partnership brokering.
• ACFID National Conference An annual national conference bringing together international development and humanitarian sector professionals for networking, learning, and dialogue on critical development issues. The 2026 edition is scheduled for 12-14 October at the National Convention Centre in Canberra.
• State of the Sector Report An annual comprehensive analysis of the state of the Australian aid and development sector, providing robust data and insights on sector performance and trends. Sold as a one-time report at $330.00 inc GST.
• ACFID Resources Library A repository of resources including submission reports, policy papers, practice notes, tools, and guidance documents from ACFID and the NGO community.
• Training Programs Various training offerings including fraud and corruption courses (e.g., Introduction to Fraud and Corruption for $189 + GST), MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning) training, and partnership brokering courses for members and non-members. ACFID members are eligible for a 15% discount.
• Consolidated Emergency Appeals Coordinated humanitarian appeals enabling Australians to donate to ACFID member responses for international emergencies such as conflicts, natural disasters, and health crises, coordinated through the Emergency Action Alliance.
• ACFID Jobs Board A job board connecting job seekers with career opportunities in the Australian aid and development NGO sector. Job vacancy advertisements start from $165.00 inc GST for non-members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members deliver 2,413 projects in 85 countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• OSKY InteractiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOSKY Interactive (Canberra's web development agency) has partnered with ACFID since 2017. Partnership includes conference sponsorship where OSKY provides digital services worth $20,000 for conference giveaways including UX reviews, security audits, and SEO analyses.
• Nossal Institute for Global HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNossal Institute for Global Health sponsored the Global Development Leadership Dialogue at ACFID's National Conference to engage with philanthropists and industry influencers.
• Home in PlaceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHome in Place (affordable housing provider) partnered through bronze sponsorship at ACFID's Conference to raise awareness of their Pacific initiatives and foster collaboration with the development community.
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACFID works with the Australian Government through DFAT to influence and inform Australia's aid and development policy. Partnership includes the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) 50th Anniversary celebrated at Parliament House in November 2024.
• AP4D (Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAP4D creates a new dimension in Australia's international policy-making by bringing together development, diplomacy and defence communities. ACFID is a partner in this dialogue.
• Emergency Action Alliance (EAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACFID coordinates consolidated emergency appeals through the Emergency Action Alliance, allowing Australians to donate to Australian NGOs for humanitarian emergencies.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• VOICE (Voluntary Organisations in Cooperation in Emergencies): VOICE is the European NGO platform for humanitarian action, coordinating advocacy, training, and operational learning among humanitarian NGOs. It is a strong functional peer to ACFID's emergency response coordination and humanitarian convening role.
• Concord (European NGO Confederation for Relief and Development): Concord is the European platform of NGOs and national confederations working on sustainable development and humanitarian action. It is a structural peer to ACFID as a multi-tiered NGO confederation engaged in policy advocacy, sector representation, and EU-level convening.
• Cooperation Canada (Canadian Council for International Co-operation): Cooperation Canada is the Canadian peak body for international development and humanitarian organisations, offering membership services, policy advocacy, and sector convening — a near-identical mandate to ACFID in a comparable (medium-sized, federal-state aid-aligned) jurisdiction.
• New Zealand Council for International Development (NZCID): NZCID is the New Zealand peak body for international development NGOs, providing Code of Conduct, advocacy, training, and sector representation. It is the closest geographic peer to ACFID, operating in a similarly sized donor market with comparable MFAT-facing policy engagement.
• Bond (UK): Bond is the UK peak body for organisations working in international development, structurally and functionally the closest counterpart to ACFID: a membership-based confederation providing policy advocacy, training, sector research, and convening for international development NGOs.
• InterAction: InterAction is the largest US-based alliance of international NGOs and partners, offering advocacy, professional development, and standards (including the PSEA standards). It is the most direct functional peer to ACFID in a larger market, providing comparable membership, advocacy, and convening services.
• ICVA (International Council of Voluntary Agencies): ICVA is a global network of humanitarian NGOs focused on policy influence, forced displacement, and humanitarian coordination. It mirrors ACFID's role in convening members, advocating with governments, and coordinating emergency response, but at a global rather than national scale.
• CIDSE (International Alliance of Catholic Social and Development Organisations): CIDSE is an international alliance of Catholic development agencies focused on advocacy, joint action, and ethical standards. It is comparable to ACFID's role in setting sectoral good practice (Code of Conduct), convening members, and advocacy on global development issues.

Others

• Australian Red Cross: An ACFID Full Member and one of Australia's largest humanitarian organisations; included because it represents the type of large institutional member that drives ACFID's convening relevance, rather than as a direct competitor. Relevant for understanding ACFID's member-side ecosystem rather than as a peer.

Broad incumbents

• Humanity & Inclusion (Handicap International): A large established international development and humanitarian organisation operating as both an ACFID-style standards influencer and a major direct implementer. Relevant as a larger incumbent member/peer with overlapping policy, advocacy, and Code-of-Conduct-adjacent interests.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/acfid
• Facebookfacebook.com/acfid
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acfid
• Instagraminstagram.com/acfid.aus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ACFID