Register as a third-party campaigner
A third-party campaigner is an individual or entity that campaigns for a state or local government election in New South Wales but does not stand as a candidate or group, a political party, an associated entity or an elected member.
An individual or entity is not legally recognised as a third-party campaigner for an election until they have incurred more than $2,000 in electoral expenditure during the capped expenditure period or registered with the NSW Electoral Commission as a third-party campaigner.
Watch the short video below to learn more about registering as a third-party campaigner and the rules that apply.
On this page
Requirements
A third-party campaigner must be registered for an election before making payments of more than $2,000 for electoral expenditure incurred during the capped state expenditure period for a state election or the capped local government expenditure period for a local government election.
A third-party campaigner must also appoint an official agent and is required to comply with disclosure and campaign account requirements.
How to register
Register as a third-party campaigner and appoint an official agent using Funding and Disclosure Online. You can register an entity as a third-party campaigner, or you can register yourself as an individual campaigner.
Log in to start the registration process and to appoint an official agent, or request access to Funding and Disclosure Online if you do not already have access. The official agent can accept or decline the appointment and complete any required training online.
If you cannot use Funding and Disclosure Online a form is available on request.
Read more information on registering a third-party campaigner using Funding and Disclosure Online.
Registration period
The registration period for a state general election starts after polling day for the previous state general election. For a state by-election, the registration period starts on a day determined by the NSW Electoral Commission but not after the day the writ is issued.
The registration period for a local government general election starts after polling day for the previous local government general election. For a local government by-election, the registration period starts on a day determined by the NSW Electoral Commission but not after the day the rolls close.
The registration period for third-party campaigners at an election close on the Monday before election day.
Registration applies for one election only. Those participating in multiple elections as third-party campaigners must register separately for each election (if they meet the legal definition).
Register of third-party campaigners
A Register of Third-party Campaigners for each election is published on the NSW Electoral Commission website.
Amend the register
The registered details of a third-party campaigner include the campaigner’s:
-
name
-
address
-
ABN or ACN (if any)
-
contact details (phone number and email address).
A third-party campaigner’s official agent must notify the NSW Electoral Commission of any change to the registered details within 30 days.
To update the registered details of the third-party campaigner, the agent must have access to Funding and Disclosure Online. Request access if you don’t yet have access, or login. Follow the step-by-step instructions on how to complete the process.
The online form is completed and submitted by the agent. If the form is approved by the NSW Electoral Commission the public register will be updated to show the updated registered details. The NSW Electoral Commission is required to publish the Register of Third-party Campaigners for each election.
The third-party campaigner’s registration may be cancelled if the agent fails to update the registered details of the campaigner.