The short answer

Victoria's new political finance laws: 30-day disclosure deadline, donation caps and what the High Court decision means for the 2026 state election

Candidates, registered political parties and donors in Victoria have until Thursday 9 July 2026 to rectify donation disclosure reports and make repayments under new political finance laws passed by Parliament on 5 June 2026. The Electoral Further Amendment Act 2026 replaces Part 12 of the Electoral Act 2002, which was declared invalid by the High Court of Australia in April 2026. The new laws are retrospective — obligations, functions and powers introduced by the Act are taken to have commenced on 15 April 2026. Political participants who gave or received donations between the High Court decision and Royal Assent of the new laws have a 30-day window to disclose those donations and repay amounts exceeding the general cap. Disclosures are made through VEC Disclosures at disclosures.vec.vic.gov.au. The laws also remove the provision for nominated entities that previously existed under Part 12. Three registered political parties that had nominated entities must now repay any nominated entity funding received above the general cap from 25 November 2018 to 14 April 2026 that remains in state campaign accounts, with repayments required by election day — Saturday 28 November 2026. The reintroduced framework includes most features of the previous scheme: a ban on foreign donations, disclosure thresholds, donation caps and an annual return system. New elements introduced include a 'new entrant' category with an increased donation cap for first-time candidates and parties, new VEC powers to make binding determinations on electoral expenditure, and provisions preventing recipients from claiming tax credits on amounts required to be repaid. Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel has emphasised that transparency in political finance supports public trust ahead of the November 2026 state election.

This guide explains the federal position first. State, territory and local elections can use different rules, dates and ballot systems, so the commission named on your election material is the final operational source.

The useful question is not only “what is the rule?” but also “who administers it, which document controls it, and when might it change?” That distinction prevents an accurate general explanation from becoming wrong advice in a particular election, chamber or policy setting.

Evidence review

High Court decision and Parliament's response

In April 2026, the High Court of Australia declared Part 12 of Victoria's Electoral Act 2002 invalid. Part 12 had been the legislative foundation for Victoria's political donation disclosure, political funding and auditing and reporting obligations. The High Court's decision created an immediate legal gap — the rules requiring political participants to disclose donations, caps on donation amounts and the ban on foreign donations were effectively removed.

The Victorian Parliament responded by passing the Electoral Further Amendment Act 2026 on Friday 5 June 2026. The new Act replaces the invalid Part 12 with a constitutionally valid framework. Because the legislative gap covered the period from 15 April 2026 to 5 June 2026 — a time when the 2026 state election campaign was already beginning to ramp up — the new laws were made retrospective, taking effect from 15 April. This ensures donations received during the gap period are captured by disclosure and cap rules.

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What the new laws require of political participants

The new laws require disclosure of political donations of $1,290 or more (indexed from 1 July 2026) within 21 days of receipt, with disclosures made through the VEC's online system at disclosures.vec.vic.gov.au. A general cap of $5,190 applies per donor per recipient for the period 15 April to 28 November 2026. Foreign donations are banned, as are anonymous donations of $1,290 or more. Donations of $100 or less do not count toward the disclosure threshold or general cap.

For the transitional period between 15 April and 9 June 2026, the disclosure threshold is $1,250 and the general cap is $5,030. Donations above the cap must be repaid to the donor and disclosed by the 9 July 2026 deadline. Political participants must also repay amounts received above the general cap during this period.

Entities likely to receive political donations or incur political expenditure must open and maintain a dedicated state campaign account. Annual returns are required each financial year that political donations are received, with certain entity types required to have those returns audited and accompanied by an audit certificate.

Evidence review

New features of the legislation

The Electoral Further Amendment Act 2026 introduces several provisions that go beyond the previous Part 12 framework. A 'new entrant' category has been created for eligible registered political parties and independent candidates, giving them an increased general donation cap of $10,380 for their first election. This is designed to help new participants establish themselves without being constrained by the standard cap.

The legislation includes provisions to prevent funding recipients from claiming any credit, rebate, refund, reimbursement or other reduction in tax liability under any law for amounts they are required to repay under the Act. The VEC has been given new powers to make binding determinations on electoral expenditure and political expenditure that auditors must follow, strengthening the VEC's regulatory role. The VEC can also recover funding from recipients in certain specified circumstances.

Disclosure thresholds and caps are indexed annually on 1 July, meaning the specific dollar amounts will change over time. The VEC publishes current indexed amounts on its website. Political participants should check the latest thresholds before making disclosures, particularly around the annual indexation date.

Evidence review

Nominated entities: transition and repayment obligations

One of the most significant changes in the new laws is the removal of the nominated entity framework. Under the previous Part 12, registered political parties could establish nominated entities with certain exemptions from disclosure and cap rules. The High Court's decision and the new legislation have eliminated this structure.

Three registered political parties had nominated entities under the previous laws. These parties have two sets of obligations. First, for the transitional period, they must disclose and repay any gifts exchanged with their nominated entities above the $5,030 general cap between 15 April and 9 June 2026 by the 9 July deadline. Second, they must repay nominated entity funding received above the general cap between 25 November 2018 and 14 April 2026 that remained in their state campaign account on 15 April 2026. These repayments are due by election day, Saturday 28 November 2026.

Nominated entities themselves have reciprocal disclosure obligations during the transitional period. After the 9 July deadline, nominated entities cease to exist as a legal category under Victorian electoral law. Former nominated entities that receive political donations or incur political expenditure going forward may fall under other categories such as associated entities or third-party campaigners.

Evidence review

The 2026 state election and transparency

The 2026 Victorian state election is scheduled for Saturday 28 November 2026. The reintroduction of political finance laws comes at a critical time — the election campaign period was already underway when the High Court decision created the legal gap, and the new framework will govern donation disclosure and caps throughout the remainder of the pre-election period.

Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel has framed the new laws as essential for public confidence. 'Transparency in political finance supports public trust and confidence in our electoral system,' Mr Bluemmel said. 'With the state election just months away, we urge anyone giving or receiving political donations to understand their obligations under these new laws and make their public disclosure in a timely way.'

The disclosure system means that Victorians will be able to see who is funding political parties, candidates and campaigners ahead of the November election. The 21-day disclosure rule ensures that donation information is publicly available during the campaign period, not just after the election.

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How to comply and where to find help

All disclosures are made through the VEC Disclosures system at disclosures.vec.vic.gov.au. The VEC has been updating its website and guidance materials to reflect the new laws, and political participants should review these resources to ensure they understand their obligations. The VEC's political donations page provides detailed information about disclosure rules, thresholds, caps, categories of participants and the annual return process.

Political participants who are uncertain about their obligations — particularly those with nominated entities, cross-jurisdictional donations or complex funding arrangements — should contact the VEC directly or seek independent legal advice. The 9 July 2026 deadline for transitional-period disclosures is a statutory requirement, and the VEC has enforcement powers to address non-compliance. The VEC's website is the authoritative source for current thresholds, forms and lodgement procedures.

Common questions

Before you rely on the answer

Why did the High Court invalidate Part 12 of the Electoral Act?

The High Court of Australia declared Part 12 of Victoria's Electoral Act 2002 invalid in April 2026. The specific constitutional grounds were not detailed in the VEC's public communications, but the effect was that Victoria's political donation disclosure, caps, foreign donation ban and auditing obligations were removed until Parliament passed replacement legislation. The Electoral Further Amendment Act 2026, passed on 5 June 2026, is the Parliament's constitutionally valid replacement framework.

What happens after the 9 July 2026 deadline?

After 9 July 2026, the standard disclosure rules apply: donations of $1,290 or more must be disclosed within 21 days through VEC Disclosures at disclosures.vec.vic.gov.au. The general donation cap of $5,190 applies per donor per recipient from 15 April to 28 November 2026. Annual returns are required for each financial year that political donations are received. If you missed the 9 July deadline, you must still disclose — contact the VEC for guidance on late lodgement.

What are nominated entities and what happens to them?

Nominated entities were a category under the previous Part 12 that allowed registered political parties to establish separate entities with certain exemptions from donation disclosure and cap rules. The new laws have removed this category entirely. Three registered political parties that had nominated entities must now repay nominated entity funding and disclose past transactions by specified deadlines: gifts exchanged during the transitional period by 9 July 2026, and historical funding by election day on 28 November 2026.

How does the 'new entrant' category work?

The new entrant category gives eligible registered political parties and independent candidates an increased general donation cap of $10,380 for their first election, compared to the standard $5,190 cap. This is designed to help new participants establish themselves. To qualify, parties or candidates must apply to the VEC and meet the eligibility criteria set out in the legislation. More information is available on the VEC website.

Source spine

Primary material used for this guide

Review trigger: Electoral Further Amendment Act 2026 passed 5 June 2026 with 9 July 2026 transitional disclosure deadline; article requires update after the deadline passes and if any enforcement action is published; annual indexation of disclosure thresholds and caps on 1 July each year may require dollar amount updates; additional guidance may be published as the 28 November 2026 state election approaches.

Archive note: This article covers the new political finance framework established by the Electoral Further Amendment Act 2026 after the High Court invalidated the previous Part 12. The 9 July 2026 deadline for transitional-period disclosures is time-sensitive and the article should be archived or updated after it passes. The broader framework — including disclosure thresholds, caps and the new entrant category — remains relevant through the 28 November 2026 state election.

Primary links are provided without affiliate or tracking parameters. Confirm that the source still applies to the bill, sitting date, jurisdiction or reporting period before relying on it.