Parties and Candidates

On this page:

• Definition of a nominated entity
• Eligibility
• Appointment and registration
• Revocation and removal
• Register of nominated entities

Definition 

A nominated entity is an organisation formally appointed by a registered political party to act on its behalf in relation to its financial or administrative activities.

Under the Electoral Act 1985 (the Act), each political party may appoint up to 2 nominated entities, provided they meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Act. These criteria relate to the entity's legal status, governance, and its formal relationship with the party.

Eligibility criteria

Under Division 2A of the Act, an organisation can only be appointed as a nominated entity if it meets the eligibility requirements. An entity is ineligible if any of the following apply.

• It is not an associated entity of the political party.
• It is already a nominated entity of another political party.
• The entity, or any of its officers (as defined in the Corporations Act 2001), has been convicted of offences under this Act or under Part 20 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.
• The political party has already appointed 2 other nominated entities.

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Appointment and registration process

Under Division 2A of the Act, the appointment of a nominated entity follows a formal process:

• Party's agent provides written notice to the Electoral Commissioner.
• Supporting documents are submitted, including a declaration of eligibility.
• Appointment takes effect once details are entered into the register.

Revocation and removal

• Appointment may be revoked by the party's agent.
• A nominated entity may resign by written notice.
• The Electoral Commissioner must remove an entity if it ceases to be associated or if convictions apply.
• Removal from the register automatically ends the appointment.

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Register of nominated entities

The register is published online by the Electoral Commissioner and includes:

• The name of each nominated entity
• The address of the entity
• The political party it is associated with.

This register promotes transparency and accountability in political party operations, particularly in relation to financial disclosures and campaign expenditure.

On this page

• Donations 
• Campaign donation returns
• Donor disclosure requirements
• Loan restrictions
• Additional disclosure obligations
• Offences and penalties

Disclosure Timetable - 2026 State Election

Under Part 13A of the Electoral Act 1985 (the Act), candidates and groups participating in elections must meet specific reporting requirements related to campaign financing and political expenditure. These obligations ensure transparency and accountability in electoral funding.

Donations to certain participants

While Subdivisions 1 and 2 of the Act establish broad prohibitions on political donations and loans, Subdivision 3 introduces specific rules for regulated designated participants. These participants may still receive donations and loans within strict limits, such as a $5,000 individual cap per financial year, provided they comply with disclosure and return requirements.

👉 See our donations to certain participants page for details.

Campaign donations returns

(section 130ZF)

The agent of each entitled candidate or entitled group must lodge campaign donation returns at prescribed times during the election cycle. These returns must be submitted in a form approved by the Electoral Commissioner.

Returns must include

For donations or loans over $1,000:

• Amount or value
• Date received
• Name and address of the donor or creditor

For donations or loans under $1,000:

• Total value
• Number of donors or lenders

Exemptions

• Donations or loans made privately for personal use and not used for election purposes are exempt from disclosure.

Disclosure period

• New candidates: Begins on the day they announce or are nominated.
• Returning candidates: Begins 30 days after polling day of the previous election they contested.
• Groups: Begins on the day they apply to be grouped on the ballot.
• The period ends 30 days after polling day of the current election.

Prescribed lodgement times

Returns must be lodged:

1. Within 30 days of the end of the period from the start of the disclosure period to the start of the designated period.
2. Within 5 days of the end of the first 30 days of the designated period.
3. Every 7 days thereafter until 30 days after polling day.
4. A final return must be lodged within 5 days of the end of the designated period if fewer than 7 days remain.

Donor disclosure requirements

(section 130ZG)

Individuals who donate or loan more than $1,000 (up to the legal cap of $5,000) to candidates or groups during the disclosure period must lodge a donor return, unless they are a registered party, associated entity, candidate, or group member

What must be included

Donor returns must include

• Details of donations or loans made, including:
  • Amount or value
  • Date made
  • Name and address of the recipient
• Details of funds received and used to make or reimburse those donations or loans:
  • Amount or value
  • Date received
  • Number of contributors

Lodgement deadlines

• If the donation or loan was made before the designated period, within 30 days of the start of the designated period.
• If the donation or loan was made during the designated period, within 7 days after the end of the designated period.

Agent responsibilities

Agents must inform donors of their obligations to lodge a return if applicable.

Loan restrictions

(section 130ZK)

Candidates, groups, and their agents must comply with strict rules regarding loans received during election periods.

Key requirements

It is unlawful to receive a loan of $500 or more from a person other than a financial institution unless detailed records are kept.

Required records include:

• Terms and conditions of the loan
• Name and address of the lender
• Additional details if the lender is:
  • A registered industrial organisation
  • An incorporated or unincorporated association
  • A trust fund or foundation
  • A body corporate (including board members and related entities).

These obligations continue for 30 days after polling day.

Penalties

• Unlawful loans must be repaid to the Crown
• In the case of unicorporate bodies, executive committee members are jointly and individually liable.

Additional disclosure obligations

Candidates, groups, and other electoral participants may be subject to further disclosure obligations under sections 130ZQ to 130ZT of the Act. These provisions apply when political expenditure exceeds certain thresholds or when amounts are received to fund such expenditure.

Political expenditure during capped expenditure period

(section 130ZQ)

• Applies to candidates and groups incurring more than $5,000 in political expenditure during the capped expenditure period.
• Agents must submit a return within 60 days after polling day, detailing the expenditure

Annual political expenditure returns

(section 130ZR)

• Applies to candidates and groups incurring more than $5,000 in political expenditure during a financial year, not acting on behalf of the Crown or as a member of parliament.
• Returns must be submitted within 12 weeks after the end of the financial year.

Annual returns for amounts received

(section 130ZS)

• Applies to candidates and groups required to submit returns under 130ZQ or 130ZR who received amounts over $1,000 used for political expenditure.
• Returns must include:
  • Value and date of each amount
  • Name and address of the contributor
  • Any other prescribed details
• Aggregated amounts from the same donor are treated as one.

Offences and penalties

Candidates and groups must comply with all obligations under Part 13A of the Act. Breaches may result in offences and legal penalties, as outlined in section 130ZZE and Regulation 40 of the Electoral Regulations 2024.

Failure to lodge required returns

Not submitting election period returns, donation and loan disclosures, or audit certificates within the required timeframe is an offence.

Providing false or misleading information

Knowingly submitting incorrect or incomplete information in a return is a serious offence.

Failure to appoint an agent

Each candidate or group must appoint an agent to manage electoral obligations. If no agent is appointed:

• The candidate or group members may be held personally responsible..
• Non-compliance by the agent or responsible persons may result in penalties.

Failure to maintain a state campaign account

If a candidate or group receives funds that must be deposited into a campaign account and fails to do so, this may breach the Act.