Political donors are people or organisations (other than registered political parties, associated entities, candidates and members of a Senate group in an election) who make donations to:

• registered political parties or the State branch of a registered political party
• any person or body with the intention* of benefiting a particular registered political party or the State of a registered political party
• a candidate or a member of a Senate group during the disclosure period in relation to an election (including by-elections).

* If a donation is made to an Associated Entity with the intention of benefiting a particular political party, it is considered that such donation is made to that political party.

Subject to the disclosure threshold, donors must lodge an annual Donor to Political Party Return by 17 November each year.

Subject to the disclosure threshold, donors to candidates or members of a Senate group must lodge an Election Donor Return to the AEC before the end of 15 weeks after the polling day for the election.

Donor information

• Handbook
• Annual Return Forms
• Election Forms