Disclosure of political donations and electoral expenditure
What is disclosure?
A disclosure return is the reporting of all donations, loans, and expenditure incurred for an election campaign. These must be reported to the ECQ under the Electoral Act 1992 and the Local Government Electoral Act 2011. All disclosures are made through the Electronic Disclosure System (EDS) and are available to the public.
Public disclosure ensures the integrity and transparency of political campaign funding in Queensland. The ECQ conducts audits and compliance activities to ensure the integrity of disclosure information. Non-compliance with disclosure laws carries significant penalties.
Who needs to make a disclosure?
- Candidates (or their agent)
- Groups of candidates (or their agent)
- Agents of registered political parties
- Financial controllers of associated entities
- Third party campaigners
- Political donors
How do I make a disclosure?
Disclosures must be lodged via the EDS and can be viewed by the public. Need help using the EDS?
What needs to be disclosed?
All details of donations and loans made, and expenditure incurred towards an election, must be disclosed.
In general, the threshold for disclosure to registered political parties and State candidates is $1,000 (cumulative between January – June, and July – December each year),and $500 (cumulative) for local government elections.
Registered political parties and associated entities have additional reporting obligations. More information can be found on our registered political parties page.
All election participants should be familiar with the requirements that apply to their circumstances.
Notification of approved forms
The following forms have been approved by the Electoral Commissioner for Queensland.
Some forms are available on the handbooks, fact sheets and forms page. Forms relating to financial disclosure must be lodged via the Electronic Disclosure System. All requests to access these forms must be made to the Funding & Disclosure Unit by calling 1300 881 665 or at the ECQ office during business hours.
Electoral Act 1992
Form Number | Title | Version | Date of Approval |
---|---|---|---|
Form 5 | Nomination form for State election (endorsed candidate) | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
Form 5A | Endorsed Candidates Consent and Declaration | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
Form 6 | Nomination of candidate (non-endorsed) | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
QFD01A | Real Time Return for State Candidates | July 2019 | 25 June 2019 |
QFD01B | Periodic Return for State Candidates | July 2019 | 25 June 2019 |
QFD03B | Individual Reporting a Gift Made | July 2019 | 25 June 2019 |
QFD17 | Registration of EFT Details for Policy Development Payments | July 2019 | 25 June 2019 |
QFD25 | Request to Amend a Return or Claim | July 2019 | 25 June 2019 |
QPR01 | Application to Register a Political Party | July 2019 | 25 June 2019 |
QPR02 | Application to Change the Register of Political Parties | July 2019 | 25 June 2019 |
QPR03 | Nomination of a Deputy Registered Officer | July 2019 | 25 June 2019 |
QPR04 | Quarterly Report | July 2019 | 25 June 2019 |
QPR05 | Notice of Appointment of an Agent by a Registered Political Party | July 2019 | 25 June 2019 |
QSG01 | Application to Register a Political Party | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
QSG01A | Real Time Gift-Loan Disclosure | August 2020 | 29 July 2020 |
QSG02 | Application to Change the Register of Political Parties | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
QSG02A | Donor Reporting Gift Made | August 2020 | 29 July 2020 |
QSG03 | Nomination of a Deputy Registered Officer | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
QSG04A | Registration of a Third Party – An Individual | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
QSG04B | Registration of a Third Party – An Organisation | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
QSG07 | Change of Details of a Third Party Registration | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
QSG08A | Appointment of An Agent – Registered Political Party | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
QSG08B | Appointment of An Agent - Candidate | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
QSG08C | Appointment of An Agent – Third Party | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
QSG09 | Removal of Agent | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
QSG14A | Claim for Payment of Election Funding for Registered Political Parties | March 2020 | 27 March 2020 |
QSG14B | Claim for Payment of Election Funding for Candidates | March 2020 | 27 March 2020 |
QSG16A | State Campaign Account Details – Registered Political Party | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
QSG16B | State Campaign Account Details – Candidates | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
QSG16C | State Campaign Account Details – Third Party | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
QSG18 | Endorsement of a Candidate by a Registered Political Party | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
QSG20 | Withdrawal of Endorsement of Candidate by Registered Political Party | August 2020 | 17 July 2020 |
QSG30 | Real Time Return for Third Parties | November 2020 | 31 October 2020 |
QSG31 | Election Summary Return - Publisher | November 2020 | 31 October 2020 |
QSG32 | Election Summary Return – Broadcasters | November 2020 | 31 October 2020 |
QSG33 | Election Summary Return – Candidates | November 2020 | 28 October 2020 |
QSG34 | Election Summary Return - RPP | November 2020 | 28 October 2020 |
QSG35 | Election Summary Return – Associated Entities | November 2020 | 28 October 2020 |
QSG36 | Election Summary Return – Third Parties | November 2020 | 28 October 2020 |
Local Government Electoral Act 2011
Form Number | Title | Version | Date of Approval |
---|---|---|---|
QLG01A | Real-Time Gift-Loan Disclosure Return | January 2020 | 23 December 2019 |
QLG01B | Election Summary Return Local Government Election Candidates | January 2020 | 23 December 2019 |
QLG01C | Real-Time Electoral Expenditure Return for Candidates and Groups | January 2020 | 23 December 2019 |
QLG02A | Real-Time Gift Disclosure Return | January 2020 | 23 December 2019 |
QLG02B | Election Summary Return Third Parties | January 2020 | 23 December 2019 |
QLG02C | Real-Time Political Expenditure Return | January 2020 | 23 December 2019 |
QLG03 | Request to Amend a Return | January 2020 | 23 December 2019 |
QLG04A | Transitional Gift-Loan Disclosure Return | January 2020 | 23 December 2019 |
QLG04B | Transitional Summary Return for Councillors and Announced Candidates | January 2020 | 23 December 2019 |
QLG04C | Transitional Electoral Expenditure Return | January 2020 | 23 December 2019 |
QLG05A | Application to Register a Group of Candidates | January 2020 | 23 December 2019 |
QLG05B | Application to Modify a Group of Candidates | January 2020 | 23 December 2019 |
QLG05C | Application to Deregister a Group of Candidates | January 2020 | 23 December 2019 |
QLG05D | Appointment or Removal of Agent for a Group of Candidates | January 2020 | 23 December 2019 |
QLG05E | Registration as Agent of a Group of Candidates | January 2020 | 23 December 2019 |
More information
- Information for State election participants
- Information for local government participants
- Handbooks, fact sheets, forms and user guides
Alternatively you can contact the Funding and Disclosure Unit by phone 1300 881 665 or email fad@ecq.qld.gov.au.