Whether it’s large or small, when everyday people like you leave a gift in your Will, it creates a ripple effect that makes a big difference in the lives of people around the world. After looking after the needs of your loved ones, leaving a charitable gift (bequest), even as little as 1% of your estate, ensures that the legacy you leave behind is compassionate, meaningful and aligned with the values you carried through life.
How your Will can change lives
When you put Oxfam in your Will, your values and compassion will transform the lives of people all over the world, for many years to come.
Gender Justice
Discrimination and injustice are major causes of poverty worldwide, and women and girls bear the brunt of it.
Read moreFirst Peoples Justice
Poverty in Australia is just as harsh as it is in developing countries and it’s our Indigenous Australians who are among the most disadvantaged.
Read moreEconomic Justice
The divide between rich and poor undermines progress against poverty. Inequality robs the poorest people of the support they need to improve their lives.
READ MOREClimate Justice
We support those most vulnerable to the climate crisis, while fighting to protect the planet.
Read moreHow to leave a gift in your Will
How to write, update or amend a Will
It doesn’t take long to change the world. Our suggested Will wording makes it easy to get started.
Find out moreTypes of gifts to leave in your Will
Learn about the different types of bequests you can leave in your Will.
Find out moreLegal help with a bequest
If you’re helping a loved one or client leave a gift in their Will, you can find out more here.
Find out moreFrequently Asked Questions
We know it can be challenging to navigate preparing a will and leaving a bequest. We are here to help.
Why make a Will?
A Will leaves clear instructions that tell people what you want to happen to your assets after you die. It helps make sure that:
The people responsible for managing your estate know how you want your affairs to be handled
Any dependants such as children are properly taken care of
Your assets are distributed in a way that reflects your values and instructions
If you wish to bequeath a gift to Oxfam, leaving these instructions behind in a legal Will is the only way to ensure that your wishes are followed through with. We recommend that you consult a solicitor or seek legal advice when preparing a Will.
How to write a Will
Writing a Will can sound overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. In Australia, anyone can prepare a Will if they are over 18-years old and deemed to be of sound mind.
For a Will to be valid it must be:
Written down – you can’t rely on verbally passing on your wishes
Signed and witnessed by two people who aren’t your heir or spouse.
Different States and Territories may have different rules, so it’s recommended that you check any relevant Government websites before you start to make your Will. You can choose to have a trusted professional such as a solicitor help you write your Will or you can write your own using a DIY Wills kits often found online. To write your own Will you must:
Speak to a solicitor or legal professional if you have any questions about how to write your Will
Read example Wills available online to understand how to structure it and the appropriate language to use
Download or purchase a DIY Wills kit
Visit the Public Trustee site for you State or Territory to make sure that you understand the services available to you and what it means for life events such as marriage or divorce
Be very specific in your instructions and careful to include as much detail as possible. This avoids the possibility of misinterpretation or your Will one day being deemed invalid (Oxfam can help you find someone to help you write your Will if clear communication is a concern for you)
If you have a relative or business that is connected to you that you wish to exclude from your Will be very clear about this also
File your Will somewhere safe but easily accessible for your loved ones if they need to access it at a later date. Leaving a copy with a solicitor or trusted professional is also a good idea
Remember to update your Will every few years to reflect your circumstances
A Will gives you the power to choose how your assets can benefit your loved ones and adding a bequest to Oxfam ensures you leave a legacy that benefits people all around the world.
How do I update my Will?
If you’ve already made a Will but have decided that you want to update it or make changes, you can:
Add a codicil to your existing Will
Choose to revoke the Will and write a new one
Destroy your Will
A Codicil is just an addition that can be added to your Will, and is often all that’s required if you are only making a minor change to your Will. If it’s a large change, you’ll likely be required to write a new Will. To update your Will with a codicil you must:
Identify the exact section in your Will that you wish to update and clearly record it with the new information you wish to include
Use the same language in your Will as you do in your codicil
Include a sentence that references your original Will by date
After adding your new provisions, include a sentence indicating that the rest of the Will shall remain as it is
Ensure that the codicil is signed, dated and kept in a safe place with the original Will
If you have any questions or are unsure on how to update your Will, seek the advice of a lawyer or professional.
What is a bequest?
A bequest is simply a donation left in your Will to a charity of your choice. It can be the whole amount, a specific amount or percentage of your estate (see more about the types of bequests). For many people who have lived a life of compassion, it is natural to wish to use a portion of the assets they leave behind to help improve the lives of others. Bequests are a popular way to provide support for generations to come. A bequest is also a wonderful way to donate to your charity if you have not been able to during your lifetime. By choosing to leave Oxfam a bequest in your Will, your legacy will help fund the important work that goes into overcoming poverty, injustice and environmental destruction around the world.
Types of bequests
There are many different bequests you can gift in your Will. The type of bequest you wish to leave is entirely up to you
Residuary bequest
Pecuniary bequest
Specific bequest
Contingent bequest
Percentage of estate
Whole estate
How to include a gift in your Will
Including a gift in your will is easy. You can either include it as you create a will, or add a section after you create it (an amendment). From the wording of your Will to the types of gift you could choose to bequest, we’ll give you all the essential information. Simply scroll to the ‘how to leave a gift in your will section’ above for details. If you have any questions, give us a call on 1800 088 110 or send us an email: bequest@oxfam.org.au
Can I choose how my gift is spent?
Including a gift to Oxfam in your Will is an act of trust. That’s why it’s so important to us to respect your trust, by making sure your gift efficiently and cost-effectively goes where it will have the most impact. When you leave a gift to Oxfam in your Will, we spend it where it is most needed, always striving to be transparent in our distribution. However, if you wish to support one area of work, such as girls’ education or clean water, get in touch with a member of our Bequests team below.
What happens if there is no Will?
If you pass away without a Will, it’s known as intestacy. Although the rules around intestacy are different depending on which state or territory you live in, most commonly, an intestate estate is simply divided amongst any surviving spouses, de-factos and children. If there is no immediate family to allocate to, more distant relatives will receive portions of your estate. If there are no distant relatives or close friends, your Will is likely to be passed to your state or territory government under Succession Law.This means that without a Will you won’t have a say in who benefits from your legacy, which can lead to family disputes or your wealth being used in ways that don’t reflect the values you carried through life.
Information for solicitors and executors
Are you helping a friend, family member or client include a gift for Oxfam in their Will?Helpful information for solicitors and executors can be found on our Legal help with a bequest page.
For solicitors making a Will
Thank you for helping to make a Will that includes a bequest to Oxfam Australia. Please refer to our suggested wording for different types of bequests and download our Wills Guide for further information.If your client would like their gift to be used for a specific purpose, please contact our Bequests Team to make sure that their wishes can be carried out. To thank your client in person for their generosity, we’d also like to invite them to connect with us and a community of other wonderful individuals who support us in this way. Please ask your client to contact us on 1800 088 110 or at bequest@oxfam.org.au for details of our upcoming community events.
For executors administering a Will
Thank you for making sure that a bequest to Oxfam Australia is properly administered. To finalise the process, please send us the following information:
A cover note that includes your contact details, and the full name and last known address of the deceased person
A copy of the final Will and any codicils
A statement of estate accounts
Once the estate is ready to be distributed, we ask that you please post a cheque made payable to Oxfam Australia to:Gifts in Wills CoordinatorOxfam Australia Head Office130–138 Leicester StreetCarlton VIC 3053
I’m ready to do a bequest. Now what?
Fantastic! We are so happy to hear.Here’s what to do next:
Decide on the type of bequest. See the types of bequests
Find a solicitor in your area if you need advice or write a will online.
Ensure you use the recommended wording for your bequest: see our will wording page
Email or call to let us know or if you have any questions (details below). We’d love to hear of your bequest and say thank you!
Contact our Bequests Team

If you are ready to make a bequest, have any questions, would like to speak to us or would like us to send you a Will guide in the mail, please contact Sam and our Bequests team on 03 7067 5390, email bequest@oxfam.org.au or use the form below. You can also sign up to keep in touch with us.
By filling out this form, you agree that Oxfam Australia may contact you about the different opportunities to support its work around the world, including fundraising. You consent to Oxfam Australia collecting and handling your personal information in accordance with its Privacy policy. If you have any questions, please email us at enquire@oxfam.org.au or call 1800 088 110.