Authorising state election material

You can share your political opinions at any time – that is part of a healthy democracy.

If you are sharing something that is considered 'electoral campaign material', you must authorise it. We'll explore what these terms mean, and give examples of what is and isn't considered electoral campaign material.

Authorisation requirements apply to everyone – not just political parties, members of Parliament or candidates. They exist to:

  • enhance transparency by allowing everyone to know the origins of the electoral campaign material
  • allow someone to decide for themselves how much they value or trust the electoral campaign material.

The authorisation rules and requirements are different between state and local council elections. Learn about authorisation requirements for local council elections.

Electoral campaign material

Something can be considered 'electoral campaign material' if it is an advertisement, handbill, pamphlet or notice that contains electoral matter. It may appear in print, digitally or online.

Electoral matter is something that is intended or likely to affect the way someone votes in an election, regardless of whether it makes an express reference to the election or voting. While authorisation requirements apply all the time, proximity to an election is a relevant factor in considering whether material is intended or likely to affect the way someone votes in an election.

For example, material distributed within 4 weeks of the issue of the writs would have a much stronger likelihood of influencing voting than material distributed earlier in an election cycle.

Electoral campaign material can take many forms, including:

  • a pamphlet, flyer, handbill or notice
  • a billboard, poster or sign
  • a how-to-vote card
  • any paid or unpaid print, digital or online advertisement
  • a social media post or profile
  • a website
  • some electronic communications, such as email or SMS.

Not everything is considered electoral campaign material and some things don't need an authorisation statement. Examples include:

  • small car stickers, badges, clothing, fridge magnets, pens, pencils and balloons
  • letters, cards, and media releases where the name and address of the sender or publisher appears, unless they contain a representation of a ballot paper
  • images of exempt items, unless transformed into electoral campaign material
  • material made for academic, artistic, educational or satirical purposes that is not intended or likely to affect voting in an election.

Authorisation guidelines

To authorise something is to include a name and address somewhere visible on the electoral campaign material – that's what forms the 'authorisation statement'. For printed material, it must also include the printer's name and place of business.

It doesn't matter if there is an election happening or not, electoral campaign material must always be authorised.