Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918

Election funding may be payable in relation to registered political parties, candidates and groups under this Division. The election funding is payable in relation to any candidate who received at least 4% of the total formal first preference votes cast in the election. Election funding of $10,000 (as indexed) is paid as soon as practicable after 20 days after the polling day for the election or elections. However, a claim must be made for election funding of more than that amount to be paid.

The amount of the election funding is worked out by reference to the number of formal first preference votes received by the candidate. However, for an amount of election funding that is more than $10,000 (as indexed), the amount is capped at the amount of actual expenditure incurred by the candidate or the registered political party endorsing the candidate.

The regulations may also provide for an amount to be paid as an advance on election funding that may become payable in respect of a future election. Any such advance can only be paid to a registered political party, or candidate, entitled to election funding in the most recently held election. If an advance exceeds the election funding that ultimately becomes payable, the excess becomes a debt to the Commonwealth.