Third parties are people or organisations (other than registered political parties, candidates and Federal government agencies) who incur political expenditure as defined in the Act.

Political expenditure is expenditure incurred by a person or organisation, or with their authority, on:

• public expression of views on a political party, candidate in an election or member of the Federal Parliament by any means;
• public expression of views on an issue in an election by any means;
• printing, production, publication, or distribution of any material that is required by section 328 or 328A of the Act to include a name, address or place of business;
• broadcast of political matter in relation to which particulars are required to be announced under sub-clause 4(2) of schedule 2 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992;
• opinion polling and other research relating to an election or the voting intention of voters.

Other expenditure (for example, on administration or travel) is not political expenditure for reporting purposes.

Where political expenditure reaches the disclosure threshold, third parties are required to lodge an annual Third Party Return of Political Expenditure by 17 November each year.

Further information

• Handbook
• Annual Return Forms