Expenditure and Political Donations

If a candidate wishes to accept political donations or make payments for electoral expenditure, the candidate must first register for the election. The registration of a candidate or group of candidates is a separate process to the nomination process that enables candidates and groups to be included on the ballot paper for the election.

The candidate and group registration period opens from 5 August 2024 and closes on 14 August 2024.

A registration form must be completed and submitted directly to the NSW Electoral Commission up to 12noon on nomination day. For the 2024 Local Government Election, this would be before 12noon, Wednesday 14 August 2024.

A candidate or group is registered once the NSW Electoral Commission has received and processed the registration form. The candidate or group is not permitted to accept political donations or pay for electoral expenditure until registered, or until nominated. More information on the registration process including registration forms can be via the NSW Electoral Commission.

Registration enquiries should be directed to:

• the Candidate Helpdesk telephone 1300 022 011, or
• email fdc@elections.nsw.gov.au

Disclosure of Political Donations

Candidates and groups of candidates who participated in the September local government election as well as elected councillors and mayors must comply with the provisions of the Electoral Funding Act 2018, including disclosing information about political donations and electoral expenditure to the NSW Electoral Funding Commission. The next disclosure lodgement period commences on 1 January 2025. 

For more information on disclosures refer to:

• Timeline: Disclosure reporting periods and due dates 2024-2025: Timeline
• Fact sheet: Disclosing political donations (Half yearly period 1 July to 31 December 2024) Fact Sheet
• General information about disclosures NSW Electoral Commission Website
• Questions and more information: email fdc@elections.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 022 011. Please note that their office will be closed between Monday 23 December and Friday 3 January 2025. Reopening Monday 6 January 2025 from 9am to 5pm Monday-Friday.