The Australian Council for Overseas Aid was formed in 1965 to "create a vehicle to enable government to relate to the NGO community more easily".

In 1966 ACFOA coordinated the Australian voluntary aid effort to Vietnam and received its first government grant of $11,000 for Vietnam.

Since 1995 ACFOA has moved significantly in the direction of acting as a body through which the aid sector regulates itself more stringently. This has reflected a realisation that the aid and development community must work harder to be recognised collectively as an effective, credible sector, worthy of public and government support. ACFOA has established the Code of Conduct for NGOs which is now a requirement for any NGO seeking AusAID funding.

Web Site: www.acfoa.asn.au