Candidates, registered political parties and donors have until Thursday 9 July 2026 to correct donation disclosure reports and complete repayments under Victoria’s updated political finance laws.
The changes follow legislation passed on 5 June after the High Court ruled in April that earlier provisions in Part 12 of the Electoral Act 2002 were invalid. The new framework restores donation disclosure requirements, reporting obligations and oversight arrangements, with the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) responsible for monitoring compliance.
The laws operate retrospectively, with many provisions deemed to have taken effect from 15 April 2026. This means donations made in the period between the court decision and Royal Assent now fall within the reporting requirements.
Anyone who has given or received political donations during that period must submit disclosures through the VEC’s online system by 9 July. The system is available at disclosures.vec.vic.gov.au.
The rules also require electoral participants, including candidates, parties, groups, elected members, associated entities, nominated entities and third-party campaigners, to repay amounts received between 15 April and 9 June 2026 that exceed the new general cap on political donations.
Further repayment obligations apply to arrangements involving nominated entities, which are no longer recognised under the updated laws. Three registered political parties that previously used nominated entities must repay any amounts above the general cap received between 25 November 2018 and 14 April 2026 that remain in state campaign accounts. Those repayments must be completed by election day for the next state election on Saturday 28 November 2026.
The reforms also reinstate key elements of Victoria’s previous political funding and disclosure system, including a ban on foreign donations. Other changes introduce a new entrant category for eligible parties and independent candidates, offering a higher initial donation cap at their first election. Disclosure thresholds and donation caps have been adjusted, while recipients are now restricted from claiming tax-related rebates or reimbursements linked to political funding. The VEC also gains expanded powers to recover funds in certain circumstances and to set determinations on electoral and political expenditure that auditors must follow.
Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel said transparency in political finance remains central to public confidence in the system.
“Transparency in political finance supports public trust and confidence in our electoral system,” he said.
“With the state election just months away, we urge anyone giving or receiving political donations to understand their obligations under these new laws and make their public disclosure in a timely way.”
The VEC is updating guidance materials for parties, candidates and donors ahead of the new requirements, with further information available at vec.vic.gov.au.
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