Parties and Candidates
- Details
Overview
The Electoral (Accountability and Integrity) Amendment Act 2024 introduced significant reforms to the Electoral Act 1985 (the Act). These reforms, effective from 1 July 2025, aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and fairness in South Australia's electoral system.
Key reform areas
Prohibitions on donations and loans
One of the most significant changes introduced by the reforms is the ban on political donations and loans for electoral purposes. This includes monetary contributions, discounted services, or any support intended to influence electoral outcomes.
However, to ensure fairness and support participation, new parties and candidates, defined under the Act as regulated designated participants, may access public funding up to a set amount, provided they meet eligibility requirements such as registration duration, vote thresholds, and evidence of electoral expenditure.
Electoral donations
- Donations to registered political parties, candidates, MPs, and third parties are prohibited. This includes:
- Monetary contributions.
- Discounted goods or services.
- Any other support intended to influence electoral outcomes.
Note: Levies on MP and staffer salaries are exempt.
Electoral loans
Loans are treated as donations and are generally banned. Exceptions apply only in limited cases, such as:
- Loans from a party’s nominated entity.
- Loans not deposited into a campaign account.
- Loans used solely for administrative costs.
Associated entities
If an associated entity receives a loan, it’s treated as if the political party received it, meaning the same rules apply.
Breaches of these provisions may result in penalties, including fines and deregistration of political parties.
Exceptions for regulated participants
While the reforms prohibit most political donations and loans, regulated designated participants may still receive donations and loans within strict limits. These include individual caps of $5,000 per donor or lender per financial year, and aggregate caps tied to expenditure limits during election periods. All donations and loans must be properly disclosed and managed through registered state campaign accounts.
👉 Learn more about donations and loan limits for regulated participants
Public funding
As part of the electoral reforms, new public funding arrangements have been introduced to support both registered political parties and eligible candidates.
Administrative funding:
- Designed to support the day-to-day operations of eligible political parties.
- Includes one-off and ongoing payments for costs such as office expenses, staff salaries, and administrative systems.
- Strictly limited to non-political use — funds must not be used for campaigning or electoral activities.
👉 Learn more on our administrative funding page
Advance funding:
- Available to parties participating in general or by-elections.
- Allows access to public funding before election results are finalised.
- Subject to:
- Certification of eligibility
- Deduction from future entitlements based on actual performance.
👉 Learn more on our advance funding page
Policy development funding:
- Provides up to $20,000 per year (2026 indexed) to eligible parties
- Intended to support activities such as:
- hosting policy forums, seminars, and meetings.
- research and analysis for policy creation.
- Communicating policy ideas to members and supporters.
- Cannot be used for political or electoral expenditure.
- Claims must be submitted to ECSA within 30 days after the end of the calendar year.
👉 Learn more on our policy development funding page
State campaign accounts
A state campaign account is a dedicated financial institution account that must be used by political participants in South Australian state elections to manage donations, public funding, and political expenditure. These accounts are required for candidates, groups, registered political parties, and third parties*.
* Third parties only need a state campaign account if they receive amounts that must be paid into one under the Act.
👉 Learn more on our state campaign accounts page
Party registration and eligibility
South Australia's electoral reforms have strengthened the requirements for political party registration to ensure transparency and accountability.
Waiting period
Parties must be registered for at least 8 months before becoming eligible for public funding and other entitlements.
Expanded registration requirements
Parties must provide detailed information about:- Their internal governance structures.
- Membership rules.
- The appointment of a compliance officer.
Ongoing obligations
Any changes to registration details must be reported to the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) within 14 days.
Audit powers
The Electoral Commissioner has the authority to audit party activities and documentation to verify compliance.
Expenditure regulations
To ensure fairness and prevent excessive spending in South Australian elections, the reforms introduced strict controls on political expenditure.
Expenditure caps
Political parties, candidates, third-party campaigners and groups of candidates in the Legislative Council are subject to maximum spending limits during designated periods. These caps apply to all electoral expenditure, including advertising, promotional materials, and campaign events.
Nominated entities
Nominated entities are prohibited from incurring political expenditure. This ensures that campaign spending is transparent and directly attributable to the party or candidate.
Oversight and recovery
ECSA monitors compliance with expenditure caps. If a party or candidate exceeds the permitted limit, ECSA may initiate recovery proceedings to reclaim overspend public funds.
Capped period
The expenditure limits apply during a defined campaign period, which is set by regulation and varies depending on the type of election.
👉 Learn more on our expenditure caps page
Third party regulation
Third parties that spend more than $10,000 on political activities must register with ECSA, submit financial returns, and comply with audit requirements.
👉 Learn more about third party obligations
Disclosure and compliance
Disclosure and compliance obligations have been strengthened under the 2024 reforms. Political participants must submit detailed financial returns, including nil returns and audit certificates, and comply with new penalties for non-compliance.
👉 Learn more about disclosure and compliance requirements
Agent and entity oversight
Agents play a key role in ensuring compliance with funding and disclosure obligations. Under the reforms, agents must be registered and may be subject to audits. Nominated and associated entities are also required to follow strict rules around financial reporting and campaign expenditure.
More information:
- Details
On this page
Disclosure Timetable - 2026 State Election
Under Part 13A Division 8 of the Electoral Act 1985 (the Act), electoral participants, including political parties, candidates, associated entities, and third parties, must submit financial returns to the Electoral Commissioner at prescribed intervals. These returns promote transparency in electoral funding and ensure compliance with donation and expenditure laws.
Party returns
For registered political parties, section 130ZN of the Act outlines the reporting requirements. The agent of each registered political party is required to submit a political party return at prescribed times, in a format approved by the Electoral Commissioner. Each return must include:
Amounts received
- Total received during the period.
- A breakdown of amounts $1,000 or less, including the number of contributors.
- Prescribed details for each amount over $1,000, including:
- Value
- Date received
- Name and address of the contributor
- Any other details required by regulation
Debts incurred
- Total outstanding debts at the end of the period.
- A breakdown of debts $1,000 or less, including the number of creditors.
- Prescribed details for each debt over $1,000, including:
- Value
- Date incurred
- Name and address of the creditor
- Any other details required by regulation
- A declaration by the party agent confirming that no electoral donations were received in breach of Division 6A during the reporting period.
Prescribed reporting periods
Initial period (if no previous return submitted)
From the date the party became subject to the reporting requirements under the Act until either 30 June or 31 December, whichever comes first.
Returns must be lodged within 30 days of the end of the period.
Between general elections
- 1 January to 30 June
- 1 July to 31 December.
Returns for each period must be lodged within 30 days of the end of the period.
During general election periods
From the start of the designated period to 30 days after polling day:
- First 30 days
- Then, each 14-day period until polling day
- If fewer than 14 days remain before the 30-day post-polling deadline, the final period covers those remaining days.
Returns for each of these periods must be lodged within 5 days of the end of the period.
Aggregation rule
Multiple amounts received from the same person during a financial year are treated as one amount for reporting purposes.
Additional disclosure obligations
In addition to the requirements under section 130ZN, registered political parties and other electoral participants may also be subject to further disclosure obligations under sections 130ZQ to 130ZT of the Act. These provisions apply when political expenditure exceeds certain thresholds or when amounts are received to fund such expenditure.
Political expenditure during capped expenditure period
(section 130ZQ)
- Applies to parties, candidates, groups, or third parties incurring more than $5,000 in political expenditure during the capped expenditure period.
- Agents must submit a return within 60 days after polling day, detailing the expenditure.
- Third parties must disclose any arrangements with Division 6 entities.
Annual political expenditure returns
(section 130ZR)
- Applies to individuals incurring more than $5,000 in political expenditure during a financial year, not acting on behalf of the Crown or as a member of parliament.
- Returns must be submitted within 12 weeks after the end of the financial year.
- Third parties must disclose any relevant arrangements.
Annual returns for amounts received
(section 130ZS)
- Applies to individuals required to submit returns under 130ZQ or 130ZR who received amounts over $1,000 used for political expenditure.
- Returns must include:
- Value and date of each amount
- Name and address of the contributor
- Any other prescribed details
- Aggregated amounts from the same donor are treated as one.
Related matters
(section 130ZT)
- Returns must not include party membership lists.
Audit certificates
An audit certificate must accompany each return. During election periods, only 2 bulk certificates are required:
- One lodged 7 days before polling day
- One lodged on the final return due date.
You may apply for a waiver if compliance costs are unreasonable.
Offences and penalties
Political parties must comply with all disclosure and reporting obligations under Part 13A of the Act. Non-compliance may result in offences and legal penalties, as outlined in section 130ZZE and Regulation 40 of the Electoral Regulations 2024.
Failure to lodge required returns
Not submitting half-yearly, election period, or audit certificates within the required timeframe is an offence.
Providing false or misleading information
Knowingly submitting incorrect or incomplete information in a return is a serious offence.
Failure to appoint an agent
Each registered political party must appoint an agent to manage its electoral obligations. If no agent is appointed:
- The party’s registered officer or executive members may be deemed responsible.
- Non-compliance by the agent or responsible persons may result in penalties.
Failure to maintain a state campaign account
If a political party receives funds that must be deposited into a campaign account and fails to do so, this may breach the Act.
- Details
This page outlines when prescribed details must be provided under South Australia's electoral funding and disclosure laws. For full requirements, refer to the prescribed details guide.
Under the Electoral Act 1985 (the Act) and the Electoral Regulations 2024 (Electoral Regulations), all participants required to lodge electoral returns must include prescribed details to meet their funding and disclosure obligations. This applies to:
- Registered political parties
- Third parties
- Associated entities
- Candidates and groups
- Their appointed agents
Download the guide for more information.
👉 Prescribed Details Guide (PDF, 273KB)
When prescribed details are required
Prescribed details must be provided when a return involves:
- Donations
- Loans
- Debts
- Political expenditure
Disclosure threshold
Disclosure is required when the value of a donation, loan, or debt exceeds $1,000.
Return types and triggers
The following table outlines the types of electoral returns and the events that trigger the requirement to lodge them, as specified under sections 130ZF to 130ZS of the Act:
| Return type | Triggering event |
| Campaign donations return | Candidate or group member receives a disclosable donation or loan |
| Donor returns | Donor gives or is reimbursed for a disclosable donation or loan |
| Political party/entity/third party returns | Receipt of a disclosable amount or debt |
| Political expenditure returns | Disclosable spending during capped or annual periods |
Using public sources
You may reference publicly available sources (e.g. ASIC or charity registers) instead of listing certain details, provided you include:
- The name of the publication
- A direct link to the specific page
What to do if details are unavailable
- Complete as much of the return as possible
- Lodge a ‘Notice of Inability to Complete Return’ form
- Submit both documents to ECSA
- Details
Overview
While Subdivisions 1 and 2 of the Electoral Act 1985 establish broad prohibitions on political donations and loans, Subdivision 3 introduces specific rules for regulated designated participants. These participants may still receive donations and loans within strict limits, such as a $5,000 individual cap per financial year, provided they comply with disclosure and return requirements.
Who Is a regulated designated participant?
This includes:
- Entitled registered political parties
- Entitled candidates
- Entitled groups
- Third parties (excluding ACNC-registered entities).
Electoral donations
Individual cap on donations
- A donor may contribute up to $5,000 per financial year to a regulated designated participant.
- Multiple donations from the same donor are aggregated to assess whether the cap is exceeded.
Prohibited donations
- It is unlawful to accept donations that exceed the $5,000 cap.
- If an excess donation is received:
- It must be returned to the donor, or
- If that’s not possible, it must be transferred to the Electoral Commissioner for deposit into the consolidated account.
Exception
- Donations paid into a federal account under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 are exempt from the cap.
General cap on donations during election periods
What Is the general cap?
- During the capped expenditure period, total donations must not exceed the participant’s applicable expenditure cap.
Consequences of breach
- If exceeded, the agent may be liable to repay twice the excess to the Crown.
- No penalty applies if the excess is promptly returned or transferred.
Electoral loans
Individual cap on loans
- A donor may lend up to $5,000 per financial year to a regulated designated participant.
- Loans from the same person are aggregated.
- Loans from financial institutions are exempt.
Prohibited loans
- Loans exceeding the cap must be returned or transferred to the Electoral Commissioner.
- Loans paid into a federal account are exempt.
General cap on loans during election periods
- Total loans during the capped expenditure period must not exceed the expenditure cap.
- Excess loans may result in the agent being liable for twice the excess.
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