We administer funding payments to eligible:

registered political parties

independent elected Members of Parliament (MPs)

some candidates.

Funding amounts are indexed annually in relation to the consumer price index (CPI).

Public funding

Public funding is available for:

independent candidates

or

or registered political parties with endorsed candidates.

They may receive funding if they:

receive at least 4% of first preference votes

or

or are elected.

The purpose of public funding is to cover costs associated with running a State election campaign. They are paid into a State campaign account.

What is a State campaign account?

A State campaign account is a financial account that all funding recipients must set up to deposit:

political donations

public funding.

All political expenditure must be paid from this account.

The State campaign account must be with an authorised deposit-taking institution. For more information, see the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority register of authorised deposit-taking institutions.

2022 State election funding

Candidates and parties that received public funding for the 2018 State election can choose to receive instalments of public funding in advance for the 2022 State election.

Funding amounts are indexed annually according to the consumer price index. See the indexation table

Advance public funding is paid in four instalments over four years and is indexed annually according to the consumer price index.

How to apply for public funding

Eligible candidates must provide us with a statement of expenditure with an audit certificate 20 weeks after election day. Applications for public funding for the 2018 State election closed on 15 April 2019.

A statement of expenditure is a report that shows that the candidate or party has incurred costs in the election.

An audit certificate must be provided by an independent auditor.

Administrative expenditure funding

Administrative expenditure funding is public money paid to eligble:

independent MPs

registered political parties with MPs.

Administrative expenditure funding can be used to cover the general running costs of the office of a party or an independent MP. This includes the cost of complying with funding and disclosure obligations. It cannot be used on a State election campaign. Administrative expenditure funding can be paid into any other account (but not the State campaign account). For more information on what administrative expenditure funding can be used for, view the determination on claimable administrative expenditure.

How much is the funding?

Funding amounts are indexed annually according to the consumer price index. See the indexation table.

Administrative expenditure funding return

Registered political parties and independent MPs who receive administrative expenditure funding must provide a return for each calendar year. A statement of expenditure and audit certificate must be provided.

A statement of expenditure is a report of administrative expenses during a calendar year.

You must submit a return by 22 April 2021 for the 2020 calendar year.

For more information or assistance in completing the application, please contact our Funding and Disclosure Unit.

Policy development funding

Registered political parties may be eligible to receive policy development funding if they:

have been registered with the VEC for the full calendar year

were not eligible for any other funding.

Funding amounts are indexed annually according to the consumer price index. See the indexation table.

Before receiving funding, eligible registered political parties must submit a statement of expenditure and audit certificate. A statement of expenditure is a report of policy development expenditure during the calendar year.

If the amount on the statement is less than the amount the party is entitled to, the party will only be paid the amount spent. If the amount on the statement shows the party spent more than the amount they were entitled to, they will only be paid the amount they were entitled to.

Policy development funding can be used for the costs of policy development for state matters.

How to apply for policy development funding

Eligible parties must submit a statement of expenditure and audit certificate.

You must apply by 20 May 2021.

For more information or assistance in completing the application please contact our Funding and Disclosure Unit