Advance funding - Legislative Council

Advance public funding is a new initiative introduced under the Electoral (Accountability and Integrity) Amendment Act 2024. It provides eligible political participants with early access to public funds to support their state election campaigns.

This funding is available to candidates, groups, registered political parties, and independent members who meet specific requirements and lodge the appropriate certificate before polling day. Payments are made in instalments and are calculated based on previous election results or a legislated set amount.

Advance funding is designed to help cover legitimate campaign costs during the capped expenditure period. Strict rules apply to eligibility, timing, use of funds, and repayment obligations.

Legislative Council elections

Under Section 130PC of the Electoral Act 1985, the Electoral Commissioner may provide advance public funding for candidates and groups contesting the Legislative Council (LC) district during a general election. Payments are made in two instalments.

Eligibility

Advance payments are available to:

  • Entitled registered political party
  • Other registered political party
  • Independent LC candidate (current/former MP)
  • Group of LC candidates (includes current/former MP)
  • Entitled LC group (not endorsed by a party)
  • Entitled LC candidate (not endorsed by a party)
  • LC minor party
    • Meets specific criteria and endorses candidates in both LC and HA districts.

To receive funding, the agent of the recipient must lodge a section 130PF certificate with the Electoral Commissioner before polling day.

Payment structure

Advance funding is paid in 2 instalments:

  • Payment A: 60% of the notional amount (or set amount)
    • Payment A is made after the section 130PF certificate is lodged.
  • Payment B: 20% of the notional amount (or set amount).
    • Payment B is made after the writ is issued or nominating/grouping is confirmed (whichever applies).

Payments are made to the state campaign account, not to individuals.

How it's calculated

Notional amount = eligible votes from previous LC election x per-vote amount (section 130P).

Special rules apply for:

  • Newly registered parties (between 2 LC elections)
  • Minor parties using votes from the twice preceding LC election.
Advance funding by recipient
Recipient Payment A Payment B

Entitled registered political party 
  • 60% notional amount (recontesting)
  • $2,500 per candidate (2026 indexed, max 6 candidates)
  • 20% notional amount (recontesting)
  • $2,500 per candidate (2026 indexed, max 6 candidates)
Other registered political party 
  • 60% notional amount
  • 20% notional amount

Independent LC candidate (current or former MP)
  • 60% notional amount
  • 20% notional amount

Group of LC candidates (includes current or former MP)
  • 60% notional amount
  • 20% notional amount
Entitled LC group (not endorsed by a party)
  • 60% notional amount (recontesting)
  • $2,500 per candidate (2026 indexed)
  • 20% notional amount (recontesting)
  • $2,500 per candidate (2026 indexed)
Entitled LC candidate (not endorsed by a political party)
  • 60% notional amount (recontesting)
  • $2,500 per candidate (2026 indexed)
  • 20% notional amount (recontesting)
  • $2,500 per candidate (2026 indexed)

Lodging a section 130PF certificate

Timing:
  • Must be lodged after the capped expenditure period begins.
  • Must be lodged before polling day
Once lodged:
  • The certificate cannot be withdrawn.
Missed deadline:
  • No advance funding will be paid.
  • You may still qualify under section 130Q(3)(b) if a section 130Q certificate is lodged within 14 days after polling day.

Early payment of certain advance funding

Under Section 130PD of the Electoral Act 1985, certain political participants may request an early payment of a portion of their advance public funding before the capped expenditure period begins.

👉 See advance funding early payment page for more information

Deductions and repayments

Section 130PE of the Electoral Act 1985 outlines how advance public funding received under sections 130PA to 130PD is managed in relation to final public funding entitlements for Legislative Council elections.

Deductions

Any advance funding received for Legislative Council elections will be deducted from the amount of public funding payable under section 130P.

Repayment

The Electoral Commissioner may require repayment of advance funding if any of the following conditions apply:

  1. Non-participation
    The party, candidate, or group does not contest the election.
    Exception: A valid reason for non-participation may be accepted by the Electoral Commissioner.

  2. No entitlement to public funding
    Repayment may be required if the agent represents:

    • A party with no members of parliament at the time of dissolution
    • A candidate or group with no parliamentary representation
      and there is no entitlement under section 130Q(1) or (2).
  3. Vote share affects entitlement
For candidates or groups without parliamentary representation, the amount of public funding is based on the percentage of first preference votes received:
    • 0% to 10%: $3.50 per eligible vote (indexed)
    • More than 10%: $3.00 per eligible vote (indexed)

If the vote share is very low, the final entitlement may be less than the advance received, and repayment of the difference may be required.

  1. Party dissolution
    The party ceases to operate, is deregistered, or is being dissolved or wound up before polling day.