Annual returns for registered political parties
An annual return is a summary of money received, spent and owed by a political participant in a financial year. We use annual returns to check that political parties and other entities are complying with funding and disclosure laws. This includes disclosing relevant political donations.
Part 12 of the Electoral Act 2002 outlines the annual return requirements.
Do I need to submit an annual return?
Yes. Registered officers of a registered political party must complete and lodge an annual return on behalf of the party. You must do this even if you did not receive any political donations or incur any political expenditure.
You must also submit an annual return for the party's nominated entity, if it has one.
When are returns due?
20 October each year.
Submissions open 1 July each year.
How do I submit a return?
On VEC Disclosures. You need to set up an account before you can submit your return.
Help with VEC Disclosures
If you have any questions email disclosures@vec.vic.gov.au or call 131 832.
What information do I need to include?
These details are required for all registered political parties for the financial year (including GST):
- total income
- total disclosed political donations
- total undisclosed political donations (under the disclosure threshold)
- the number of undisclosed political donors for the total undisclosed political donations
- total amounts received other than political donations
- total expenditure
- outstanding debts.
See explanation of requirements below for more information about these items.
You must have your party's annual return audited and include a certificate of audit from a registered company auditor. See audit requirements below for more information.
Explanation of requirements
Audit requirements.
Your return must be audited by a registered company auditor within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). It must also include a completed audit certificate.
Your auditor must use our RPP audit certificate form (PDF). We will not accept any other format of audit certificate.
Can the public see my annual return?
Yes. We are required to publish an annual return summary on VEC Disclosures by 31 December each year.
We do not publish donor addresses as they are confidential.
What happens if I don’t submit an annual return?
If you do not submit an annual return you may be fined.
The fine is 200 penalty units.