This study uses information from published Australian Taxation Office (ATO) data and represents the extent and characteristics of tax-deductible donations made and claimed by Australian taxpayers to Deductible Gift Recipients (DGRs) at Item D9 Gifts or Donations in their individual income tax returns for the 2018–19 income year.

While section 1.3 of this Executive Summary provides a more detailed overview, analysis of the ATO data showed that the total amount donated and claimed as tax deductible donations in 2018–19 was $3.93 billion (compared to $3.75 billion for the previous income year). This constitutes an increase of 4.85 per cent or $182 million from the previous income year.

The average tax-deductible donation made to DGRs and claimed by Australian taxpayers in 2018–19 was $933.20 (compared to $845.73 in the previous income year).