People and organisations can take part in Tasmania's electoral processes in different ways — as candidates, political parties, donors, campaigners, agents or elected members of parliament.
If you're planning to nominate for an election, support a campaign, make political donations or spend money on political advertising, there may be legal requirements you must comply with.
These can relate to how you participate — for example, submitting nomination forms or publishing authorised campaign material — and to how you manage donations or campaign spending.
The information below explains the different types of electoral participants and what’s required of each. If you're not sure which category applies to you, try our interactive tool below.
If your only role in an election is to vote, you can find more information about Tasmania’s voting systems and elections here.
Commencing 1 July 2025, the Electoral Disclosure and Funding Act 2023 establishes a new scheme for disclosing political donations and electoral expenditure in parliamentary elections, and administering public funding in relation to House of Assembly elections in Tasmania. Find out more about disclosure and funding.
Candidates nominate to stand for election in the House of Assembly, the Legislative Council or local government. They must follow rules for nominating and campaigning, and may have financial reporting obligations.
Members of parliament are elected representatives who serve in Tasmania’s House of Assembly or Legislative Council. They may have financial disclosure obligations during and between elections.
Political parties are organisations formed to promote particular values or policies and contest elections. To take part in Tasmanian elections, parties must register with the Commission and follow disclosure and funding rules.
Associated entities are organisations that are closely linked to a political party, such as support groups or fundraising bodies. They must register and report relevant donations and spending.
Third-party campaigners are individuals or organisations that spend more than $5,000 on campaigning in a House of Assembly election. They must register and report their electoral activity.
Donors are people or organisations that make political donations. Political donors may need to report these, depending on how much they give and who receives it.
Agents are appointed to manage financial disclosures on behalf of candidates, parties, donors or campaigners. Every electoral participant must have an agent.
Businesses involved in publishing or distributing electoral advertising during local government elections may have reporting obligations under the law.
Scrutineers help maintain the integrity and transparency of the democratic process. They are appointed by candidates to represent them at the places where voting or counting take place.
If you're unsure whether you're an electoral participant — or what your obligations might be — use our step-by-step tool to find out more.
Note: this is an educational tool for Tasmanian parliamentary elections only. Please refer to each electoral participant page above for further guidance.
Q1. Is your only role in a parliamentary election to vote?