Three weeks to annual return deadline
For immediate release
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is reminding all political participants who must submit an annual return that the deadline for filing is Tuesday 20 October.
An annual return is a summary of money a political participant receives, spends, and owes in a financial year.
All registered political parties and associated entities must submit an annual return. Independent candidates, groups of independent Legislative Council region election candidates, independent elected members, and third-party campaigners must submit an annual return if they meet certain thresholds of activity.
Annual returns requirements differ for each of these groups.
This year's annual returns cover the period Wednesday 15 April to Tuesday 30 June, following changes to Victoria's Electoral Act 2002 in June. Next year, the 2026–27 reporting will cover the full financial year, including the state election period, with returns due in October 2027.
Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel said it was important for all political participants to understand their obligations under the law.
'Changes to Victorian elections laws mean that annual returns will look a little different this year and there are different requirements for specific entities,' Mr Bluemmel said.
'Annual returns are one of the ways we monitor compliance with Victoria's political finance laws, and support transparency - and trust - in our elections.'
Annual returns from reporting entities will be published by Thursday 31 December on VEC Disclosures disclosures.vec.vic.gov.au