**📌 Payments & Reimbursements in Prima Nota
(According to Australian NFP Law & Governance Standards)**
Prima Nota operates as a Community-based Nonprofit (NFP) in South Australia.
Our processes follow official regulatory frameworks, including:
• ACNC Governance Standards (1–5)
• Fair Work Act 2009 — Volunteer vs Worker distinction
• Associations Incorporation Act 1985 (SA)
• SA Model Rules for Incorporated Associations
• Volunteering Australia National Standards
• ATO definitions of honorarium (“ex gratia payment”)
We align strictly with these rules to ensure transparency, legality, and accountability.
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1️⃣ Volunteering — as defined by Australian law
According to the Fair Work Ombudsman and Volunteering Australia:
“Volunteers are not employees and must not receive wages.”
This applies to festivals, rehearsals, event support, creative development, coordination, and most community-facing roles at Prima Nota.
This model is the foundation of all cultural NFPs in Australia.
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2️⃣ Honorarium — legally allowed, strictly regulated
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) defines honorarium as:
“A gratuitous payment made without obligation, not considered salary or wages.”
Prima Nota uses honoraria only when all conditions mandated by NFP governance are met:
• The project is externally funded or grant-supported
• The workload significantly exceeds ordinary volunteer roles
• The payment is ex gratia (not remuneration)
📌 Committee members cannot receive honoraria
— this is prohibited under
ACNC Governance Standard 5 (Conflict of Interest)
and
Associations Incorporation Act 1985 (SA) — Section on duties of officers.
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3️⃣ Paid facilitation — only via contract, only for paid programs
Under the Fair Work Act 2009, payment is allowed only for:
• defined duties,
• contracted responsibilities,
• and agreed compensation.
Prima Nota pays facilitators only when a program is paid and the facilitator is performing a professional service.
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4️⃣ Reimbursements — governed by Volunteering Australia Standards
Reimbursement is not payment for labour.
It is the refund of approved expenses, as outlined in:
• Volunteering Australia National Standard 6: Support & Safety
We reimburse only:
• approved project-related purchases
• with receipts or invoices
• within the project budget
❌ Not reimbursable:
unapproved purchases, personal tools, time, effort, or personal initiatives.
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5️⃣ Our Legal & Ethical Position
Prima Nota complies fully with:
• ACNC Governance Standards,
• SA legislation for incorporated associations,
• Fair Work volunteer definitions,
• ATO rulings,
• NFP best practice.
We openly share information, explain policies, and answer questions.
However, in the Australian NFP sector there is a fundamental principle:
Lack of knowledge does not remove the obligation to follow the rules.
(ACNC Governance Standard 1 — Duty of Compliance)
Understanding, learning, and asking questions is part of responsible community participation.
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🤝 Thank you to everyone who contributes to Prima Nota!
Our organisation grows through collective effort, creativity, and shared responsibility.
If anyone has questions — we are always available to explain the regulations and processes.
