Political parties applying for registration and intending to participate in either a state or local government election must be registered for 12 months prior to the close of nominations for that election.

Registered political parties have certain obligations and entitlements. The application must be made by the Secretary of the party and all requirements for registration must be met to register and include a party in the NSW Electoral Commission Registers of Parties. Please make sure you have read the relevant handbook before completing an application form.

Continued registration

Once registered, political parties are required to provide an annual return demonstrating their continued eligibility for registration by 30 June each year. There is no fee for the continued registration process.

We write to registered political parties to commence the continued registration process.

As part of this annual process, political parties are required to demonstrate they still have sufficient members to satisfy legislative requirements.  If the registered officer of a party fails to comply with these requirements the Electoral Commissioner may cancel the registration of the party.  The legislation requirements for the continued registration of political parties are contained in the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Act 1912 No 41 of the Local Government Act 1993 No 30.