Changes to the Electoral Act
From 1 July 2024, legislative changes regarding the disclosure of political contributions, and electoral expenditure for political participants in an election come into effect.
State Campaign Account
Political parties must contact their bank and set up a State Campaign Account for paying any expenses for the upcoming election. Certain types of funds can paid into the account including political contributions, membership fees, public funding payments, other income, interest from the account, and any returned nomination fees. The party can transfer funds from other accounts, for example, an operating account, into the State campaign account. However, funds that are not received for a State political purpose cannot be paid into the account.
How to disclose donations
The Commission has set up an Online Disclosure System (ODS) which allows political parties to register online any gifts received, within seven days.
There are several ways to upload donations:
1. Firstly, by completing the relevant screens in the ODS.
2. Secondly by sending your notice form and any accompanying data directly to fad@waec.wa.gov.au in the following formats:
• Completing an Excel spreadsheet supplied by the Commission which matches the columns required by the legislation
• Sending information to the Commission so that Commission staff can complete the spreadsheet for you
• Sending electronic data files through a secure online file sharing arrangement.
• Submitting a csv file from your electronic accounting system.
Please liaise with the Commission to find the best method that works for your individual circumstances.
Guidelines and forms
Visit our Forms and Guides page for the full range of forms and guides for Political Parties.
To assist Political Parties to meet their obligations under the Electoral Act, the following User Guidelines have been developed:
User Guideline 1 - Compliance of Registered Parties
User Guideline 2a - Political Contributions
User Guideline 2b - How to disclose a Political contribution
User Guideline 3 - State campaign account
User Guideline 4 - Electoral Expenditure
User Guideline 7 - Associated Entities
User Guideline 8 - Unregistered Parties
Funding and disclosure team
The Commission has a dedicated team dealing with changes to political finance under the Act. We encourage you to liaise with them via fad@waec.wa.gov.au.