All political parties, associated entities, individual candidates, groups and other persons are required to submit a return to the Electoral Commissioner disclosing details of gifts received and expenditure incurred for election purposes.
There are two types of returns:
Any candidates at a State election or by-election can also apply to be reimbursed for electoral expenditure incurred, provided that they receive more than 4% of first preference votes. See Reimbursement of Electoral Expenditure for more information.
Search Returns
You can now search for annual and election returns online.
The public may also view returns free of charge at the Commission's offices. The returns are available four weeks after the required lodgement date. Annual returns are available the first working day after December 28 and election-related returns from 19 weeks after polling day.
The Political Finance Report is published annually, providing a comprehensive overview of all gifts and expenditures included in annual returns, and where relevant, election returns and electoral funding claims.
Summary: June 1996 to June 2020
Please note that the following table is for illustrative purposes only. All information should be confirmed by viewing the copies of the original returns available in PDF.
Federal election events are identified for information only. Funding and disclosure reporting specific to these events is administered by the Australian Electoral Commission.
| Financial Year | Total Incomea | Total Electoral Expenditureb | Total Reimbursementc | Elections held |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-2020 | $12,507,359.16 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| 2018-2019 | $17,633,044.75 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 2019 Federal election 2018 Federal by-election: Fremantle 2018 Federal by-election: Perth |
| 2017-2018 | $13,222,447.67 | $587,761.94 | $74,907.92 | 2018 Cottesloe by-election 2018 Darling Range by-election |
| 2016-2017 | $31,028,262.89 | $19,220,744.34 | $4,497,586.58 | 2017 State election 2016 Federal election |
| 2015-2016 | $17,788,261.63 | N/Ad | N/Ad | 2015 Federal by-election: Canning |
| 2014-2015 | $11,908,371.98 | $193,424.79 | $32,797.64 | 2014 Vasse by-election |
| 2013-2014 | $18,516,881.36 | N/Ad | N/Ad | 2014 WA Senate election |
| 2012-2013 | $22,651,853.62 | $11,085,713.16 | $3,979,355.09 | 2013 State election 2013 Federal election |
| 2011-2012 | $9,156,930.50 | N/Ad | N/Ad | |
| 2010-2011 | $14,020,029.73 | $54,583.51 | $28,674.86 | 2010 Federal election 2010 Armadale by-election |
| 2009-2010 | $9,654,778.08 | $98,952.74 | $27,287.06 | 2009 Willagee by-election |
| 2008-2009 | $16,816,332.04 | $7,502,831.83 | $3,265,302.41 | 2008 State election 2008 Fremantle by-election |
| 2007-2008 | $15,798,165.95 | $57,984.73 | $27,650.37 | 2008 Murdoch by-election 2007 Federal election |
| 2006-2007 | $7,439,459.55 | $186,063.51 | $30,174.87 | 2007 Peel by-election |
| 2005-2006 | $5,461,537.97 | $131,712.40 | N/Ae | 2006 Victoria Park by-election |
| 2004-2005 | $14,792,949.24 | $6,107,913.52 | N/Ae | 2005 State election 2004 Federal election |
| 2003-2004 | $6,634,247.77 | N/Af | N/Ae | |
| 2002-2003 | $4,552,547.00 | N/Af | N/Ae | |
| 2001-2002 | $7,985,957.00 | $168,385.00 | N/Ae | 2001 Nedlands by-election 2001 Merredin by-election 2001 Federal election |
| 2000-2001 | $11,627,865.00 | $6,223,830.00 | N/Ae | 2001 State election |
| 1999-2000 | $4,320,168.00 | N/Af | N/Ae | |
| 1998-1999 | $6,870,404.25 | N/Af | N/Ae | 1998 Federal election |
| 1997-1998 | $3,809,845.89 | N/Af | N/Ae | |
| 1996-1997 | $6,458,937.52 | $2,804,795.65 | N/Ae | 1996 State election |
a Total income received includes all gifts and income received by political parties, associated entities as declared in annual returns, and also income received by candidates, legislative council groups, and other persons as declared in election returns where a State election event(s) occurred within that financial year.
b Total amount of electoral expenditure declared by candidates, legislative council groups, political parties and other persons for (all) State election events occurring within the financial year as declared in election returns.
c Total amount of reimbursement of electoral expenditure received by candidates, political parties and legislative council groups for (all) State election events occurring within the financial year as declared in election returns.
d No election returns or claims for reimbursement of electoral expenditure were received in the financial year as no State elections were held.
e Reimbursement of electoral expenditure commenced on 27 October 2006 following amendments to the Electoral Act 1907.
f No election returns were received as no State elections were held.
Local Government elections
Local government candidates and donors have a duty of disclosure for electoral donations. All queries should be directed to the local government's Chief Executive Officer.