Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews is poised to try and abolish the national charities watchdog, despite overwhelming support within the charity sector to keep the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission.

Fairfax Media can confirm that a bill to abolish the commission will be introduced to federal parliament on Wednesday as part of the government's ''repeal day'' package. It is understood there are plans to then defund the organisation in the coming months.

Before the 2013 election, the Abbott government pledged to get rid of the body and move its regulatory functions back into the Australian Taxation Office to ''reduce red tape''. Fairfax Media has previously reported Cardinal George Pell's office has also lobbied the government to get rid of the charities regulator.

Among other duties, the commission registers charities, helps them meet their obligations, investigates complaints and maintains a public charities register.

Many within the ''third sector'' are adamantly against the commission's axing, arguing it will result in less transparency of not-for-profits, which contribute about $43 billion to Australia's GDP and employ about 900,000 people.