The Electoral Act 1985 provides a public funding scheme in which candidates may be entitled to funding as reimbursement of political expenditure. To participate in the scheme, candidates must lodge a 130Y certificate before the deadline. Participants of the scheme are subject to capped limits on their political expenditure.

Lodgement deadlines will vary depending on the type of candidate.

If you are an:

  • Endorsed candidate
  • Unendorsed candidate – not a ‘new candidate’
  • Unendorsed candidate- who is a new candidate and has already announced their candidacy for the by-election.

ECSA must be provided with a certificate under section 130Y on or before 5 pm on the day of the by-election being announced by the Speaker.

If you are an:

  • Unendorsed ‘new candidate’

ECSA must be provided with a certificate under section 130Y on or before 5 pm on the day you announce your candidacy or nominate (whichever occurs first).

(Note: You are not defined as a new candidate if you have stood for election to the House of Assembly within the preceding 5 years or for election in the Legislative Council within the preceding 9 years. Refer to section 130ZF(5)(b) of the Act for further information.)

For more information about public funding, please contact the Compliance Branch on 7424 7400.