Associated entity registration and changes

What is an associated entity?

An entity (other than a political entity) is an associated entity if any of the following apply in a financial year:

• the entity is controlled by one or more registered political parties; or
• the entity operates wholly or to a significant extent for the benefit of one or more registered political parties; or
• the entity is a financial member of a registered political party; or
• another person is a financial member of a registered political party on behalf of the entity; or
• the entity has voting rights in a registered political party; or
• another person has voting rights in a registered political party on behalf of the entity; or
• the entity operates wholly, or to a significant extent, for the benefit of one or more disclosure entities, and the benefit relates to one or more electoral activities (whether or not the electoral activities are undertaken during an election period).

Examples of associated entities include '500 clubs', 'think tanks', registered clubs, service companies, trade unions and corporate party members.

Electoral expenditure refers to expenditure incurred for the dominant purpose of creating or communicating electoral matter. Further details on electoral expenditure can be found at the Electoral Expenditure and Electoral Matter fact sheet.

How do you register an associated entity?

A person or entity that meets the definition of an associated entity must register with the AEC before the end of 90 days after becoming required to be registered.

A person or entity that is required to be registered as an associated entity for a financial year must not incur further electoral expenditure in that financial year until they are registered.

• Application to register as an Associated Entity

What is a financial controller?

An associated entity must appoint a financial controller at the time of registration, using the Application to register as an Associated Entity  form.

A financial controller means:

• for an entity that is a company, the company secretary;
• for a person or entity that is a trustee of a trust, the trustee;
• in all other cases, the person responsible for maintaining the entity's financial records.

The financial controller must meet the definition above and the following conditions:

• be an individual who is at least 18 years old;
• not have been convicted of an offence against the funding and disclosure provisions of the Electoral Act;
• have signed a form of consent to the nomination (on the application to register form);
• have signed a declaration that he or she is eligible for nomination (on the application to register form).

The financial controller is responsible for lodging the annual return.

Are there penalties for not registering?

Yes, not registering as an associated entity will incur a civil penalty whichever is the higher of the following amounts:

• 200 penalty units;
• If the court can determine the amount, or an estimate of the amount, of electoral expenditure incurred in contravention of this subsection – 3 times that amount.

Publication

The associated entity and financial controller’s names will be included in the Transparency Register, as well as the names of associated disclosure entities.

• Transparency Register

How do you change your details?

Associated entities are required to update registration details via the Change to Transparency Register form within 90 days of the change occurring. Details listed on the Transparency Register are otherwise accepted as correct until proven otherwise.

• Change to Transparency Register form

Use this form to change the financial controller, update entity name or contact details, related organisations/branches and associated disclosure entities.

How do you deregister an associated entity?

A person or entity that is registered as an associated entity may apply to the Electoral Commissioner to be deregistered.

Note: an application to deregister should only be made by an associated entity that is no longer required to be registered.

An application to deregister must be made via the approved form:

• Application to Deregister

Contact us

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