Political Finance Database

Foreign donations of more than $1,000 to members of the House of Representatives, Senators, registered political parties, candidates, Senate groups, third parties and associated entities are banned. 

Foreign donations of more than $1,000 to members of the House of Representatives, Senators, registered political parties, candidates, Senate groups, third parties and associated entities are banned. 

Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 s 302D "Gifts of over $1,000 to political entities (broadly, registered political parties, candidates and Senate groups) or political campaigners must not be made by foreign donors. A foreign donor is a person who does not have a connection to Australia, such as a person who is not an Australian citizen or an entity that does not have a significant business presence in Australia"

While no ban exists on corporate donations, the donations must be disclosed to the Australian Electoral Commission if it is above a certain threshold. Donations from companies to candidates are listed on the donor transparency register. The financial disclosure scheme for Federal elections was amended with effect from 8 December 2005 to increase the threshold to ‘more than $10 000’. This amount is indexed with effect from 1 July each year based on increases in the consumer price index.The disclosure threshold amount that applies from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 is more than $17,300. Following the passage of the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 2025 (Cth), the disclosure threshold will reduce to $5,000 on 1 July 2026. Electoral legislation in some States and Territories ban donations from particular classes of donors e.g. Queensland law bans political donations from property developers.

The Australian Electoral Commission is required to establish and maintain a Transparency Register which lists donations to political parties by Associated  Entities which include Trade Unions.

The Commonwealth funding and disclosure scheme detailed under Part XX of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Electoral Act) requires associated entities, which include trade unions, to lodge annual returns. The Commission Transparency Register of associated entity returns shows the funds provided by trade unions to political parties. 

No ban exists on anonymous donations if they are below the current donations threshold as set by legislation.

No ban exists on anonymous donations if they are below the current donations threshold as set by legislation.

Legislation relating to donations to political parties makes no specific reference to corporations with government contracts to candidates.

Legislation relating to donations to political parties makes no specific reference to corporations with government contracts to candidates.

Legislation relating to donations to political parties makes no specific reference to corporations with government contracts to candidates.

Legislation relating to donations to political parties makes no specific reference to corporations with government contracts to candidates.

There is no legislative ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate. There is a common government practice of using state resources to benefit marginal electorates to enhance the government's prospects for reelection. 

The Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 2025 introduces an annual cap on donations for a federal purpose of $50,000, which applies from 1 July 2026. In a calendar year, a person/entity can donate up to $50,000 to a single recipient.
The state/territory donation cap: a maximum of 5 times the annual cap (up to $250,000) can be donated in a single state/territory in a calendar year. The overall donation cap is 32 times the annual donation cap. In a calendar year a person/entity can donate no more than $1.6 million to multiple recipients. Donation recipients are: political parties, members of the House of Representatives, senators, candidates, significant third parties, associated entities, nominated entities and third parties.
By-election donation cap: a maximum of the annual cap (up to $50,000) can be donated for a single by-election during the election.
Senate-only elections donation cap: a maximum of the annual cap (up to $50,000) can be donated for a single Senate-only election during the election.
A donation made for a by-election or a Senate-only election does not count towards the annual cap, state/territory cap, overall cap.

The Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 2025 introduces an annual cap on donations for a federal purpose of $50,000. In a calendar year, a person/entity can donate up to $50,000 to a single recipient. The state/territory donation cap: a maximum of 5 times the annual cap (up to $250,000) can be donated in a single state/territory in a calendar year. The overall donation cap is 32 times the annual donation cap. In a calendar year a person/entity can donate no more than $1.6 million to multiple recipients.Donation recipients are: political parties, members of the House of Representatives, senators, candidates, significant third parties, associated entities, nominated entities and third parties.
By-election donation cap: a maximum of the annual cap (up to $50,000) can be donated for a single by-election during the election.
Senate-only elections donation cap: a maximum of the annual cap (up to $50,000) can be donated for a single Senate-only election during the election.
A donation made for a by-election or a Senate-only election does not count towards the annual cap, state/territory cap, overall cap.

The Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 2025 introduces an annual cap on donations for a federal purpose of $50,000. In a calendar year, a person/entity can donate up to $50,000 to a single recipient. The state/territory donation cap: a maximum of 5 times the annual cap (up to $250,000) can be donated in a single state/territory in a calendar year. The overall donation cap is 32 times the annual donation cap. In a calendar year a person/entity can donate no more than $1.6 million to multiple recipients. Donation recipients are: political parties, members of the House of Representatives, senators, candidates, significant third parties, associated entities, nominated entities and third parties.
By-election donation cap: a maximum of the annual cap (up to $50,000) can be donated for a single by-election during the election.
Senate-only elections donation cap: a maximum of the annual cap (up to $50,000) can be donated for a single Senate-only election during the election.
A donation made for a by-election or a Senate-only election does not count towards the annual cap, state/territory cap, overall cap.

The Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 2025 introduces an annual cap on donations for a federal purpose of $50,000, which applies from 1 July 2026. In a calendar year, a person/entity can donate up to $50,000 to a single recipient. The state/territory donation cap: a maximum of 5 times the annual cap (up to $250,000) can be donated in a single state/territory in a calendar year. The overall donation cap is 32 times the annual donation cap. In a calendar year a person/entity can donate no more than $1.6 million to multiple recipients. Donation recipients are: political parties, members of the House of Representatives, senators, candidates, significant third parties, associated entities, nominated entities and third parties.
By-election donation cap: a maximum of the annual cap (up to $50,000) can be donated for a single by-election during the election.
Senate-only elections donation cap: a maximum of the annual cap (up to $50,000) can be donated for a single Senate-only election during the election.
A donation made for a by-election or a Senate-only election does not count towards the annual cap, state/territory cap, overall cap.

The Australian Electoral Commision requires that the annual returns and expedited disclosures for organisations and and individual donars must disclose details of donations, including gifts -in-kind made to poltical parties totalling more than the disclosure threshold for donations. This is included in the cap that applies from 1 July 2026.

The Australian Electoral Commision requires that the annual returns and expedited disclosures of candidates must disclose details of donations, including gifts -in-kind  totalling more than the disclosure threshold for all donations. This is included in the cap that applies from 1 July 2026.

There are no prohibitions in the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.

There are no prohibitions in the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.

There are no prohibitions in the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.

There are no specific provisions that donations must go through the banking system.  However, party bank accounts are required in order that Parties follow the Australian Electoral Commission Financial Disclosure Guide for Political Parties. 

Election funding may be payable in relation to registered political parties, candidates and groups. The election funding is payable in relation to any candidate who received more than 4% of the total first preference votes cast in the election. Election funding of $10,000 (as indexed) is paid as soon as practicable 20 days after the polling day for the election or elections. However, a claim must be made for election funding if more than that amount is to be paid.

"Election funding may be payable in relation to registered political parties, candidates and groups under this Division. The election funding is payable in relation to any candidate who received at least 4% of the total formal first preference votes cast in the election. Election funding of $10,000 (as indexed) is paid as soon as practicable after 20 days after the polling day for the election or elections. However, a claim must be made for election funding of more than that amount to be paid.
The amount of the election funding is worked out by reference to the number of formal first preference votes received by the candidate. However, for an amount of election funding that is more than $10,000 (as indexed), the amount is capped at the amount of actual expenditure incurred by the candidate or the registered political party endorsing the candidate."

The current election funding rate and automatic payment amount are indexed every six months in accordance with section 321 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. The rate aplying between 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2025 was $3.427 per eligible vote and the automatic payment amount was $12,528.

There is no obligation for licensees to broadcast any election matter free of charge.

There is no obligation for licensees to broadcast any election matter free of charge.

Political gifts and contributions can be made in a personal capacity (to be tax deductible) to political parties, independent candidates and members up to a A$1,500 cap respectively ie. total deduction of A$3,000.

No such provisions exist in the Electoral Act.

No such provisions exist in the Electoral Act.

Legislation provides that a person cannot ask for, receive or obtain, or give or confer, any property or benefit with the intention of influencing the vote or candidature of a person at a federal election. The electoral bribery offence does not apply to declarations of public policy or promises of public action.

If a person is found guilty of this offence, a court may impose a penalty of imprisonment of up to 2 years or 50 penalty units, or both.

The Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 2025 introduces caps on the electoral expenditure that political parties, candidates, members of the House of Representatives, senators, significant third parties, associated entities, nominated entities and third parties can incur in a calendar year, which come into effect on 1 July 2026. 

The Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 2025 introduces caps on the electoral expenditure that political parties, candidates, members of the House of Representatives, senators, significant third parties, associated entities, nominated entities and third parties can incur in a calendar year, which come into effect on 1 July 2026. 

From 1 July 2026, significant third parties, associated entities and third parties are capped expenditure entities and also subject to expenditure caps:
Total expenditure of $11.25 million
Divisional limit of $100,000
Senate cap is a formula, multiplying the Senate base amount of $25,000 by the number of divisions in that state or territory.

The the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 2025, which takes effect from 1 July 2026, introduces timely disclosure requirements for donations for a federal purpose over the disclosure threshold, with the time for reporting by a recipient depending on the proximity to an election. A donation disclosure notice must be completed by political parties, members of Parliament, candidates, significant third parties, associated entities, nominated entities and third parties within 7 days during the election period and within 24 hours during the expedited notice period.
Donors must complete a donation disclosure notice within 7 days during an election between the issue of writ and seven days after polling day.
Outside of an election, donations must be reported by all entities and donors by the 21st day of the following month after the donation.

The the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 2025, which takes effect from 1 July 2026, introduces timely disclosure requirements for donations for a federal purpose over the disclosure threshold, with the time for reporting by a recipient depending on the proximity to an election. A donation disclosure notice must be completed by political parties, members of Parliament, candidates, significant third parties, associated entities, nominated entities and third parties within 7 days during the election period and within 24 hours during the expedited notice period.
Donors must complete a donation disclosure notice within 7 days during an election between the issue of writ and seven days after polling day.
Outside of an election, donations must be reported by all entities and donors by the 21st day of the following month after the donation.

The the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 2025, which takes effect from 1 July 2026, introduces timely disclosure requirements for donations for a federal purpose over the disclosure threshold, with the time for reporting by a recipient depending on the proximity to an election. A donation disclosure notice must be completed by political parties, members of Parliament, candidates, significant third parties, associated entities, nominated entities and third parties within 7 days during the election period and within 24 hours during the expedited notice period. Donors must complete a donation disclosure notice within 7 days during an election between the issue of writ and seven days after polling day. Outside of an election, donations must be reported by all entities and donors by the 21st day of the following month after the donation.

The the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 2025, which takes effect from 1 July 2026, introduces timely disclosure requirements for donations for a federal purpose over the disclosure threshold, with the time for reporting by a recipient depending on the proximity to an election. A donation disclosure notice must be completed by political parties, members of Parliament, candidates, significant third parties, associated entities, nominated entities and third parties within 7 days during the election period and within 24 hours during the expedited notice period. Donors must complete a donation disclosure notice within 7 days during an election between the issue of writ and seven days after polling day. Outside of an election, donations must be reported by all entities and donors by the 21st day of the following month after the donation.

The Australian Electoral Commission Transparency Register contains information about political parties, associated entities, political campaigners, third parties, donors, candidates and Senate groups registered with or recognised by the Australian Electoral Commission. The Transparency Register includes annual returns, election returns and election funding claims. The Australian Electoral Commission is required to publish annual returns by political parties, political campaigners, associated entities, third parties and donors before the end of the first business day in February each year after the return is provided.

All political party, associated entity and donor returns from financial year 1998-1999 onwards and third party returns from financial year 2006-2007 onwards are available on the Transparency Register.

Donors can give multiple donations below the threshold so that disclosure is not required, either by the political party or the donor. The financial disclosure scheme for federal elections was amended with effect from 8 December 2005 to increase the threshold to ‘more than $10 000’. This amount is indexed with effect from 1 July each year based on increases in the consumer price index. The disclosure threshold amount that will apply from The disclosure threshold amount that applies from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 is more than $17,300. Following the passage of the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 2025 (Cth), the disclosure threshold will reduce to $5,000 on 1 July 2026. 

The Australian Electoral Commission requires that the annual returns lodged by political paries with the Commission include total receipts, value of gifts in kind and details of receipts greater than the disclosure theshold. The financial disclosure scheme for federal elections was amended with effect from 8 December 2005 to increase the threshold to ‘more than $10 000’. This amount is indexed with effect from 1 July each year based on increases in the consumer price index. The disclosure threshold amount that will apply from The disclosure threshold amount that applies from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 is more than $17,300. Following the passage of the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 2025 (Cth), the disclosure threshold will reduce to $5,000 on 1 July 2026. Donors can make multiple donations below the threshold as a means of avoiding public discloure of their donations by political parties. 

Political parties include itemised expenditure in their annual returns and expedited disclosure notices. Candidates are required to provide information on all campaign expenditure. 

The Australian Electoral Commission receives financial disclosure returns and expedited disclosures from political parties and financial disclosure returns and expedited disclosures from candidates.  

The Australian Electoral Commission has been given authority to undertake investigations concerning compliance with the disclosure obligations contained in Part XX of the Electoral Act.  Section 314AM of the Electoral Act provides an authorised officer with the authority to find out whether a prescribed person, the agent of a political party, or the financial controller of an associated entity has complied with their obligations under Part XX of the Electoral Act.

The Australian Electoral Commission can undertake compliance reviews of a sample of returns, conduct investigations of contraventions of returns and conduct investigations of entities to determine if they have disclosure obligations.  They can refer those who have not met obligations for prosecution.

Civil and criminal penalties are in the relevant provisions of Part XXI of the Electoral Act and Part XX of the Referendum Act. Fines are incurred for serious violations, while providing false or misleading information can incure a prison sentence of 6 months. In addition to these penalties, it is an offence to provide false or misleading information under sections 137.1 and 137.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.