Election returns

What are election returns?

Following an election, candidates and Senate groups must lodge financial disclosure returns that provide details of donations received and electoral expenditure incurred. Election returns provide details related to elections (annual returns provide details for a financial year).

Who lodges an election return?

  • Candidate or agent
  • Unendorsed Senate group or agent
  • Senate group endorsed by more than one registered political party or group agent
  • Donor making donations to candidates or Senate groups in excess of the disclosure threshold.

The Election returns summary provides an overview of who must lodge an election return, whether registration is required, and how to find more information.

When are election returns due?

Candidate and Senate Group Returns, including nil returns, and Election Donor Returns must be lodged with the AEC no later than 15 weeks after polling day.

Where can you find more information?

How to lodge an election return

Election returns can be lodged through the eReturns portal.

To use eReturns you will need to obtain a username and password. The AEC will issue candidates and agents with a username and password. Donors that do not have an eReturns account may create their own.

Go to Lodge a financial disclosure return for more information.

Publication of election returns

The AEC is required to publish election returns on the Transparency Register. Go to the Transparency Register to see published returns.

Election returns are published 24 weeks after polling day.

Contact us

If you need assistance please email fad@aec.gov.au or call the Funding and Disclosure help desk on 02 6271 4552.

Further information

Updated: 27 July 2022