Disclosure day: political donation reports due by Thursday 9 July
Thursday 02 July 2026
For immediate release
Candidates, registered political parties, donors and other political participants have just one week to make donation disclosure reports, repayments and gifts as part of a 'grace period' introduced under amendments to Victoria’s electoral laws.
On Friday 5 June, Parliament passed the Electoral Further Amendment Bill 2026, which reintroduced part 12 of the Electoral Act 2002 and applies retrospectively. This means that many of the obligations, functions and powers introduced are taken to have commenced from Wednesday 15 April.
The laws require any donation of $1,250 or more received and provided between Wednesday 15 April and Tuesday 9 June to be disclosed by Thursday 9 July. Donations received during that time above the $5,030 general cap also need to be repaid to the donor and disclosed to the VEC by this date.
The disclosure rules apply to registered political parties and their endorsed candidates, independent candidates, independent members of Parliament, third-party campaigners, associated entities, and anyone who donates to any one of these political participants.
Registered political parties with nominated entities under the previous laws must also disclose gifts exchanged above the general cap between Wednesday 15 April and Tuesday 9 June 2026. These gifts must also be repaid by 9 July 2026. Those nominated entities have reciprocal disclosure obligations.
'With the 30-day grace period coming to a close, we urge any political participants receiving or giving donations to act now,' Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel said.
'Making these disclosures is a legal requirement. However, transparent political finance also supports public trust and confidence in our electoral system. This is never more important than in the lead up to major election events, such as the Victorian state election in November.'
All disclosures are made through the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) online donation disclosure and report system, VEC Disclosures at disclosures.vec.vic.gov.au
Nominated entities have been removed under the new laws. Registered political parties with nominated entities have until election day on Saturday 28 November to repay any nominated entity funding received above the $5,030 general cap between Sunday 25 November 2018 to Tuesday 14 April 2026 that remained in the political party’s state campaign account on Wednesday 15 April.
More information about the new laws is available at vec.vic.gov.au