Public inspection

The Electoral Commissioner is required to publish all returns lodged under Part 13A of the Electoral Act 1985. 


Return period: 1 January 2024 onwards

Returns can be viewed on the current funding and disclosure portal.


Return period: 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2023 (FAD Portal)

Returns can be viewed on the archived funding and disclosure portal or as set out below:


Return period: 1 July 2022 to 31 December 2022

Associated entity
Political party

Return period: 19 April 2022 to 30 June 2022

Associated entity
Political party

Return period: 1 January 2017 to 30 June 2017

Associated entity
Donor
Political party

Return period: 1 July 2016 to 31 December 2016

Associated entity
Donor
Political party

Political expenditure returns: 2016-2017

You can also inspect returns by appointment.

Donors

Reporting gifts and loans

Donors have reporting obligations under Part 13A of the Electoral Act 1985.

You must lodge a return with the Electoral Commissioner if you have made a donation of more than $5,000 (indexed) to a candidate or relevant entity (a registered political party, associated entity or third party).

Please note: all donors must complete the 'attachment to donor return – foreign donations' (on the donor return - gifts to relevant entities form), regardless of whether they consider themselves foreign donors or not.

Donations to candidates or groups

This information is for donors who have made a donation to a candidate or member of a group.

For more information, refer to Part 13A of the Electoral Act 1985.

Who was the recipient?

A gift or loan made to a member of a group is taken to be a gift or loan to the group if it was made for the benefit of all members of the group (section 130A(5)(a)).

A gift or loan made to:

  • an endorsed candidate who is not a member of a group, or
  • a group all of whose members are endorsed by the same registered political party,

is taken to be a gift or loan to the party (sections 130A(5)(b) and (c)). For more information about donating to a party see donations to relevant entities section below.

What must be disclosed

A person who makes a gift or loan with an amount or value totalling more than $5,000 (indexed) to a candidate or member of a group during a disclosure period must lodge a donor return with the Electoral Commissioner.

This does not apply to gifts or loans made by:

  • A registered political party.
  • An associated entity.
  • A candidate.

The information which must be provided in a donor return includes:

  • The amount or value of the gift or loan.
  • The date on which it was made.
  • Any other details prescribed by the regulations.

Refer to section 130ZG for further information.

A donor must also report any gifts or loans of more than $5,000 (indexed) received by them and used wholly or partly to enable them to make the disclosable gift or loan or to reimburse them for making such a gift or loan (section 130ZG(3)).

Reporting timeframes

If the gift or loan was made outside the designated period, then it must be reported within 30 days of the start of the designated period. See our glossary page for the definition of a designated period.

If the gift or loan was made during the designated period, then it must be reported at the end of the designated period (section 130ZG(4)).

Donor return form

Please visit our funding and disclosure forms page to download the form.

Offences

Failing to lodge a return within the legislated timeframe is an offence for which the maximum penalty is $5,000.

Lodging a return which a person knows is false or misleading in a material particular is an offence for which the maximum penalty is $10,000.

For more information, refer to section 130ZZE of the Electoral Act.

Donations to relevant entities

This information is for donors who have made a donation to a registered political party, associated entity or third party (collectively referred to as ‘relevant entities’).

For more information, refer to Part 13A of the Electoral Act 1985.

What must be disclosed

A person who makes gifts with an amount or value totalling more than $5,000 (indexed) to a relevant entity during a financial year must lodge a donor return with the Electoral Commissioner.

This does not apply to gifts made by:

  • A relevant entity.
  • A candidate.

If a person makes a gift to another entity, with the intention of benefitting a particular relevant entity, the person is deemed to have made the gift directly to the relevant entity.

The information which must be provided in a donor return includes:

  • The amount or value of the gift.
  • The date on which it was made.
  • The name and address of the relevant entity that received the gift and any other details prescribed by the regulations.

Refer to section 130ZH for further information.

A person must also report any gifts of more than $5,000 (indexed) received by them and used wholly or partly to enable them to make the disclosable gift or to reimburse them for making such a gift (section 130ZH(4)).

Reporting timeframes

A gift made outside of the designated period must be reported as follows:

  • If the gift was made after 1 January, then it must be reported within 30 days of 1 July in that year.
  • If the gift was made after 1 July, then it must be reported within 30 days of 1 January in the next year.

A gift made during the designated period must be reported at the end of the designated period (section 130ZH(7)(b)).

See our glossary page for the definition of a designated period.

Donor return form

Please visit our funding and disclosure forms page to download the form.

Offences

Failing to lodge a return within the legislated timeframe is an offence for which the maximum penalty is $5,000.

Lodging a return which a person knows is false or misleading in a material particular is an offence for which the maximum penalty is $10,000.

For more information, refer to section 130ZZE.

Records and evidence

For more information, refer to Part 13A of the Electoral Act 1985.

Record keeping

If you have a document that contains information relating to a matter that has been or should be set out in a return lodged with the Electoral Commissioner, you are required to retain those records for at least 4 years. The 4 year period starts on the day of the election to which the return relates.

 Refer to section 130ZZA of the Electoral Act for further information.

Recording gifts and loans

A relevant entity, candidate or group is not permitted to receive a gift with an amount or value of $200 or more without recording the name and address of the donor (section 130ZJ).

See our glossary page for the definition of a gift.

A relevant entity, candidate or group is not permitted to receive a loan of $1,000 or more, other than from a financial institution, without recording the terms of the loan and information regarding the name and address of the lender. Section 130ZK(3) outlines the information that must be recorded about the lender.

‘Financial institution’ is defined in section 130ZK(8) as a body which carries on a business that consists of, or includes, the provision of financial services or financial products and which is either an authorised deposit-taking institution (ADI) or  a body prescribed by the regulations.

A ‘loan’ is defined in section 130ZK(8) as meaning any of the following:

  • An advance of money.
  • A provision of credit or any other form of financial accommodation.
  • A payment of an amount for, on account of, on behalf of or at the request of, a person, if there is an express or implied obligation to repay the amount.
  • A transaction (whatever its terms or forms) which in substance effects a loan of money.

If credit is provided on a credit card (defined at section 130ZK(8)) in respect of card transactions, the credit is to be treated as a separate loan for each transaction. 

In the case of a gift or loan received from certain types of entities, you must also record the names of all trustees, members of the board or executive committee (as the case may be). For more information, refer to sections 130ZJ and 130ZK.

Gifts and loans of $5,000 (indexed) or less are not required to be disclosed in a return; however, you must still maintain the required records.

Providing evidence

The Electoral Commissioner has powers to require a person to produce documents or appear at a specified time and place to provide evidence. The Electoral Commissioner will issue the person with a formal notice if the person is required to produce documents or give evidence. There is a $5,000 maximum penalty for failing to comply with a notice or providing false or misleading evidence.

Refer to section 130ZZB of the Electoral Act for further information.

Associated entities

Associated Entities

Definition of an Associated Entity

An associated entity is an entity that has any of the following relationships with a registered political party:

  • It is controlled by one or more registered political parties.
  • It operates to a significant extent for the benefit of one or more registered political parties.
  • It is a financial member of, or on whose behalf another person is a financial member of, a registered political party.
  • It has voting rights in, or on whose behalf another person has voting rights in, a registered political party.

See Part 13A of the Electoral Act 1985 for full legal details.

Obligations

Associated entities have obligations to:

  • Lodge returns detailing receipts and payments.
  • Maintain proper records of donations, gifts, and loans.
  • Provide audit certificates with returns where required.
  • Ensure compliance with all legal requirements under the Electoral Act 1985 and Regulations 2009.

State Campaign Accounts

State campaign accounts are required for associated entities that raise or spend funds for state elections. Requirements include:

  • Lodgement of returns specific to state campaigns.
  • Segregation of funds and accounting for contributions and expenditures.
  • Record keeping for at least 4 years from the polling day.

Lodging Returns

Half-Yearly Returns

Half-yearly returns must be lodged within 30 days of the end of each half-yearly period.

Returns During a General Election

During a general election, high-frequency lodgement obligations apply:

  • Return for January must be lodged by 5 February.
  • Returns must be lodged for every 7-day period until 30 days after polling day.
  • Each 7-day return must be lodged within 5 days of the end of that period.

Information Required in Returns

Returns must include:

  • Total amounts received by, or on behalf of, the entity during the period.
  • Number of persons from whom the amounts were received.
  • Details of any amount received that exceeds $1,000.

Prescribed Details

For amounts over $1,000, the return must include:

  • Name and address of the person who made the payment.
  • Amount and date of the payment.
  • Details of any associated entities through which the payment was made.

Prescribed Particulars

The prescribed particulars of a return must include:

  • For donations over $1,000, details of the donor and amount.
  • For loans received, the amount, lender details, and repayment terms.
  • For gifts in kind or other contributions, the nature and estimated value.
  • For trusts: trustee name, address, and relationship to associated entity.
  • For companies: directors, related bodies corporate, and contact details.
  • For incorporated associations: officeholders and management committee details.

Audit Certificates

All returns must include an audit certificate. Key points:

  • The first certificate is lodged 7 days before polling day to cover returns to that date.
  • The second certificate covers remaining returns and is lodged on the day the last high-frequency return is due.
  • Waivers may be granted for nil returns or if compliance costs are unreasonable.

Record Keeping

Records relating to returns must be retained for at least 4 years from the polling day of the relevant election. This includes:

  • Documents relating to amounts received, gifts, loans, and contributions.
  • Records of disbursements and expenditures.
  • Supporting evidence for any amounts reported in returns.

Agents

About Agents

An agent is a person appointed by a registered political party, candidate, group of candidates, or third party to manage their funding and disclosure obligations under Part 13A of the Electoral Act 1985. Agents can be formally appointed or deemed to be agents under the legislation.

Agents are responsible for ensuring the person or organisation they represent meets all legal requirements for funding and disclosure.

To be eligible as an agent:

  • The person must be a natural person aged 18 years or over.
  • A person cannot act as an agent if they have been convicted of a prescribed offence (section 130G(3)).

Agent requirements

The Electoral Act 1985 sets out who the agent is for each type of recipient.

RecipientAgent
Registered political party Must appoint a person to be the agent of the party. By default, the party agent is also the agent for any endorsed candidates or members of a group of candidates.
Candidate in an election May appoint a person to be their agent. If no appointment is made, the candidate is taken to be their own agent.
Members of a group of candidates May appoint a person to be the agent of the group. If no appointment is made, the candidate whose name appears first in the group on the ballot paper is taken to be the agent.
Third party May appoint a person to be their agent. If no appointment is made: (a) where the third party is a natural person, the third party is taken to be the agent; (b) in any other case, each member of the executive committee is taken to be the agent.
Associated entity May appoint a person to be their agent. If no appointment is made, the financial controller of the associated entity is taken to be the agent.

How to appoint an agent

The appointment must be made in writing and include:

  • The name and address of the proposed agent.
  • A signed consent and declaration confirming eligibility.

Candidates, groups, and third parties cannot change their agent after the close of nominations. Registered political parties are the only recipients permitted to change their agent after the close of nominations (section 130G(4)).

Download an agent appointment form from the Funding and Disclosure Forms page.

Acting agent

If an agent is temporarily unavailable, they can appoint a qualified acting agent in writing to carry out their duties. The appointment must include the acting agent’s name and address and be sent to the Electoral Commissioner.

  • The appointment can last up to 3 months and starts only when the Commissioner receives a copy.
  • The appointment ends early if the original agent’s role ends or the acting agent is convicted of a relevant offence.
  • While an acting agent is appointed, the original agent cannot perform their functions.
  • The appointment can be revoked in writing, with a copy sent to the Commissioner.

Download an acting agent appointment form from our Funding and Disclosure Forms page.

Ending or replacing an agent

Revoking an agent

Candidates, groups of candidates, third parties, and associated entities can revoke their agent by giving written notice to the Electoral Commissioner. The notice must be signed by the candidate, each member of the group, or the third party, as relevant.

A registered political party may only revoke an agent's appointment if they also give a notice of appointment of another agent.

Death or resignation

If the agent dies or resigns, the relevant person must, within 7 days, give the Electoral Commissioner notice in writing. Registered political parties must provide notice and appoint another agent within 28 days of the agent’s death.

Conviction of an offence

If an agent is convicted of an offence under Part 13A of the Electoral Act 1985 or Part 20 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, their appointment automatically ends (subject to any appeal). The appointing person or body must notify the Electoral Commissioner of a replacement agent within 28 days of the conviction, or if there is an appeal, within 28 days of the appeal being determined. Registered political parties must also notify the Electoral Commissioner of the replacement agent within the same timeframes.

Download the relevant form from our Funding and Disclosure Forms page.

Obligations of an agent

  • Set up a state campaign account (section 130K).
  • Manage funds correctly: ensure all donations are paid into the campaign account and all political spending comes out of it (sections 130L and 130M).
  • Keep accurate records: record donations of $200 or more and loans of $500 or more.
  • Lodge returns for their client at the required times.
  • Provide audit certificates for returns, or apply for a waiver from the Electoral Commissioner (section 130ZV).
  • Comply with notices to produce information or give evidence (section 130ZZB).
  • Inform donors or loan providers about reporting obligations (sections 130ZG(7) and 130ZH(8)).
  • Monitor expenditure: ensure the client does not exceed the allowed expenditure cap if participating in the public funding scheme.

Additional obligations for registered political party agents

  • Keep administrative funding separate (section 130W).
  • Notify the Electoral Commissioner if the party shares its capped political expenditure with candidates (section 130Z(3)).
  • Negotiate shared public funding with another registered party (section 130R(4)).
  • Lodge a claim for administrative funding (section 130U).

Penalties for not fulfilling obligations

  • Prosecution: Agents can be prosecuted for failing to meet their legal responsibilities.
  • Fines: Offences against Part 13A attract fines ranging from $1,500 to $50,000.
  • Loss of eligibility: A person convicted of an offence under Part 13A is not eligible to act as an agent.

Retaining records

If you hold a document containing information that has been, or should be, included in a return lodged with the Electoral Commissioner, you must retain that record for at least 4 years.

  • The 4-year period starts on the day of the election to which the return relates.
  • For more information, see section 130ZZA of the Electoral Act 1985.

Recording donations and loans

Donations

You cannot receive a gift of $200 or more without recording the name and address of the donor (section 130ZJ).

Loans

You cannot receive a loan of $500 or more (other than from a financial institution) without recording:

  • The terms of the loan
  • The name and address of the lender

Financial institutions under Part 13A include:

  • An Authorised Deposit-taking Institution (ADI) (bank, building society, or credit union)
  • Another body prescribed by regulation

What counts as a loan:

  • An advance of money
  • A provision of credit or any other form of financial accommodation
  • A payment of an amount for, on behalf of, or at the request of a person, with an obligation to repay
  • Any transaction that in substance effects a loan of money, regardless of form

Credit cards: Credit provided on a credit card is treated as a separate loan for each transaction.

Additional recording requirements: If a donation or loan comes from certain entities (trusts, boards, executive committees), you must also record the names of all trustees or members of the governing body.

Thresholds:

  • Donations and loans of $1,000 (indexed) or less do not need to be disclosed in a return.
  • You must still maintain the required records, even if disclosure is not required.

Providing evidence

The Electoral Commissioner has powers under the Electoral Act 1985 to require a person to:

  • Produce documents
  • Appear at a specified time and place to provide evidence

Penalty: Failing to comply with a notice, or providing false or misleading evidence, can result in a maximum penalty of $10,000.

For more information, see section 130ZZB of the Electoral Act 1985.

Register of agents

Party NameAgent
Animal Justice Party Mr Lionel Pengilley
Australian Family Party Mr Robert Day
Australian Greens SA Ms Margaret Keelan
Australian Labor Party (SA Branch) Mr Aemon Bourke
Family First Party Inc Ms Phillipa Williams
For Unley Mr Ryan Harrison
Jing Lee - Better Community Mr Eddie Liew
Legalise Cannabis SA Party Jason Meotti
Liberal Party of Australia (SA Division) Mr Alexander Hyde
National Party of Australia (SA) Inc Mr Grantley Mason Siviour
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Mr Carlos Quaremba
Sarah Game Fair Go for Australians Mr John Lutman
STEPHEN PALLARAS REAL CHANGE SA Mr Daniel Pallaras
SA-BEST Inc Mr Rocco Romeo
United Voice Australia Party Ms Helen Hoare

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