Annual returns for associated entities
An associated entity is a body that either:
- is controlled by one or more registered political parties (RPP)
- operates wholly, or to a significant extent, for the benefit of one or more registered political parties
- is a financial member of a political party
- on whose behalf another person is a financial member of a registered political party
- has voting rights in a registered political party
or - on whose behalf another person has voting rights in a registered political party
- but is not a nominated entity of a registered political party
Annual returns
An annual return is a summary of money received, spent, and owed by a political participant in a financial year. For associated entities the returns relates to your state campaign account. More information about state campaign accounts
We use annual returns to check that entities are complying with all funding and disclosure laws. This includes disclosing relevant political donations.
Division 3C of Part 12 of the Electoral Act 2002 (external link) outlines the annual return requirements.
Do I need to submit an annual return?
Yes. Your registered agent must complete an annual return for the associated entity regardless of if the entity received any political donations or incurred any political expenditure.
Only information about your state campaign accounts is required. More information about state campaign accounts. You must submit a nil return even if you have nothing to report about your state campaign account.
When are annual returns due?
20 October each year.
Submissions open 1 July each year.
How do I submit a return?
On VEC Disclosures. You need to set up an account before you can submit your return.
Help with VEC Disclosures
Expand the accordion below for instructions on how to submit your return. You can click the pop-out icon in the bottom right corner to open the instructions in a new window.
If you have any questions email disclosures@vec.vic.gov.au or call 131 832.
What information is required?
In relation to your state campaign accounts for the financial year (including GST):
- total income
- total disclosed political donations
- total undisclosed political donations (under the disclosure threshold)
- the number of undisclosed political donors for the total undisclosed political donations
- total amounts received other than political donations
- total expenditure
- outstanding debts
See explanation of requirements below for details on each of these items.
Your return must be audited and include a certificate of audit from an independent auditor. See audit requirements below.
You must provide copies of the following documents with your annual return:
- a loan, grant or donation statement under section 237 of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 (Cth) (Fair Work (RO) Act)
- a general-purpose financial statement under section 253 of the Fair Work (RO) Act
- your financial statements under section 102 of the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic)
- a financial report under section 319 or 320 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act)
- any financial report prescribed by the regulations.
If these documents are not available when you submit your return you must provide them as soon as possible they are ready.
Explanation of requirements
Audit requirements
Your return must be audited and include a certificate of audit from an independent auditor. This certificate must state that the return has been audited in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards as specified in s. 334(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
The certificate must state the auditor:
a) was given full and free access at all reasonable times to all accounts, records, documents and papers relating directly or indirectly to any matter required to be specified in the statement; and
b) examined the material referred to in paragraph (a) for the purpose of giving the certificate; and
c) received all information and explanations that the auditor requested in respect of any matter required to be specified in the statement; and
d) has no reason to believe that any matter stated in the statement is not correct.
We encourage you to give your auditor this audit certificate template (PDF).
Can the public see my annual return?
Yes. We are required to publish annual return summaries on VEC Disclosures by 31 December each year.
We do not publish donor addresses as they are confidential.
What happens if I don’t submit an annual return?
If you do not submit a return you may be fined.
The fine is 200 penalty units.