Tip-off: Report a suspected disclosure scheme breach

Updated: 17 February 2025

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The Commonwealth funding and disclosure scheme (disclosure scheme), under Part XX of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Electoral Act), was introduced to increase overall transparency in relation to election funding by informing the public about the financial dealings of political parties, candidates and others involved in the electoral process. The disclosure scheme requires candidates, registered political parties, significant third parties, associated entities, donors and other participants in the electoral process to lodge annual or election returns with the AEC.

The purpose of the referendum disclosure scheme, under Part VIIIA of the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 (Referendum Act), is to promote accountability and transparency and inform the public about the financial dealings of entities and donors involved in the referendum process. The referendum disclosure scheme requires referendum entities and donors to lodge referendum returns with the AEC.

Possible breaches

The Electoral Act and the Referendum Act include penalties applied to breaches associated with disclosure and election funding.

Breaches may occur in each category where penalties apply in the Electoral Act.

  • Registration requirements for significant third parties and associated entities
  • Foreign donation restrictions
  • Disclosure of donations
  • Disclosure of electoral expenditure
  • Annual returns
  • Electoral expenditure by foreign campaigners
  • AEC investigations
  • Keeping records.

Breaches may occur in each category where penalties apply in the Referendum Act.

  • Referendum returns
  • Foreign donation restrictions
  • Referendum expenditure by foreign campaigners
  • Anti-avoidance
  • AEC investigations
  • Keeping records.

In addition to these penalties, sections 137.1 and 137.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 also applies for providing false or misleading information or documents to the AEC.

Identifying a possible breach

You should contact the AEC if you are aware of a person or entity that has possibly breached these provisions. Some examples include:

  • failing to register as a significant third party or associated entity
  • failing to take acceptable action in relation to a foreign donation
  • failing to lodge a return
  • lodging an incomplete return
  • including false or misleading information in their return
  • providing false or misleading information for inclusion in a return
  • contravening an anti-avoidance notice
  • failing or refusing to comply with a compliance investigation
  • providing false or misleading information during a compliance investigation
  • failing to keep records.

What information should you provide?

The type of information that will assist us with our inquiries is:

  • The name and details of the relevant person:
    • full name
    • contact details (phone number, email address or postal/residential address)
  • Details about the possible breach
  • How you became aware of this possible breach
  • Your name and details:
    • full name
    • contact details (phone number, email address)
    • Note: it is preferable that you provide your name – the AEC will not disclose your details, and it will assist us if we need further clarification or information from you.

How will your tip-off be dealt with?

The AEC will assess all information it receives in relation to a possible breach of the disclosure scheme.

The action that the AEC takes will depend on whether there is sufficient evidence of a breach having occurred. The AEC may monitor the relevant person’s ongoing compliance with their disclosure obligations, or request information from either them or a third party.

So as not to prejudice any possible outcomes, the AEC will not provide you with any details of inquiries that it undertakes. If the AEC conducts a formal investigation, the results of the investigation may be made available on the AEC's website at the conclusion of the investigation.

How do you make a report?

You can report any activity that might constitute a possible breach:

Email: FADtipoff@aec.gov.au
Mail: Tip-off Facility Funding and Disclosure
Locked Bag 4007
Canberra ACT 2601

The AEC is committed to treating all reports confidentially in line with our privacy policy.

Can you make an anonymous report?

Yes. However, this may limit our ability to investigate your report, particularly where we need to seek further clarification or information from you.

Further information