Register on the Federal Lobbyists Register
Third-party lobbyists contacting Commonwealth officials must register + observe the Lobbying Code.
Who must comply
Third-party lobbyists (individuals and organisations, in Australia or overseas, including contractors) who lobby Australian Government representatives on behalf of clients. Not covered: in-house lobbyists, non-profits and member-based associations such as peak bodies, professionals already registered under a Commonwealth scheme (such as tax agents and customs brokers), and lawyers, doctors or accountants making occasional representations incidental to their services.
What triggers it
Intending to communicate with an Australian Government representative, on behalf of a third-party client, to influence federal government decision-making.
When due
Registration of the organisation, each lobbyist and each client must be published on the Register before first contact (applications generally take 5 working days); changes such as a new or ceased client updated within 10 business days; details reviewed twice a year, on 1 February and 1 July, with 10 business days to update.
Evidence required
Published Register entry for the organisation, lobbyists and clients; witnessed statutory declaration for each lobbyist; records of first-contact disclosures (client, registration, any prohibition-period status); change log showing 10-business-day updates and the 1 February and 1 July reviews; Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme registration where lobbying for a foreign principal.
Max penalty
The Code is administrative: a lobbyist who breaches it may be removed from the Register, and a serious breach can bar registration or re-registration for up to 3 months; the Attorney-General can direct that a lobbyist be refused registration or removed on integrity grounds (Code ss 13(4), 14(3)). Separately, failing to register under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 when required may attract criminal penalties
Who must comply with this? The applicability test by industry, business structure and size.
Summary
The Lobbying Code of Conduct, overseen by the Attorney-General's Department, requires third-party lobbyists to register themselves and each client on the public Australian Government Register of Lobbyists before contacting Australian Government representatives (ministers and ministerial staff, agency heads, APS employees, agency contractors and ADF members) to influence federal decision-making. Representatives must not engage with unregistered lobbyists and must report suspected breaches. Each lobbyist must make a statutory declaration about eligibility (no prison sentence of 30 months or more, no dishonesty conviction in the last 10 years, no political party executive role). At first contact the lobbyist must disclose who it represents, and must follow five principles of engagement, including keeping lobbying separate from party-political activity. Former ministers and assistant ministers (18 months) and former ministerial advisers, agency heads, SES officers and ADF officers of colonel rank or above (12 months) face bans on lobbying on matters they dealt with. The Code applies to lobbyists and clients based overseas, alongside any Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme duty.
Enforced by
Topics
Related
- CWLTHRegister under Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (FITS)Persons undertaking activities on behalf of foreign principals in Australia must register with the AG's Department.
- CWLTHRespond to FOI requests within 30 days (Cwlth agencies + ministers)FOI Act 1982 — Commonwealth agencies + ministers must respond to access requests within 30 days.
- CWLTHBeneficial ownership transparency (Tranche 3 — under consultation)Proposed beneficial ownership register for unlisted companies and trusts — consultation through 2024-2025; commencement TBD.
- CWLTHPolitical donation disclosure thresholds (federal + state)Federal disclosure threshold $17,300+ (2024-25). State thresholds + caps vary.
- VICComply with Vic FOI Act 1982 (state)Victorian agencies + ministers respond to state FOI requests within 30 days.
Reading
Frequently asked questions
- Who must comply with on the Federal Lobbyists Register?
- Third-party lobbyists (individuals and organisations, in Australia or overseas, including contractors) who lobby Australian Government representatives on behalf of clients. Not covered: in-house lobbyists, non-profits and member-based associations such as peak bodies, professionals already registered under a Commonwealth scheme (such as tax agents and customs brokers), and lawyers, doctors or accountants making occasional representations incidental to their services.
- What triggers on the Federal Lobbyists Register?
- Intending to communicate with an Australian Government representative, on behalf of a third-party client, to influence federal government decision-making.
- When is on the Federal Lobbyists Register due?
- Registration of the organisation, each lobbyist and each client must be published on the Register before first contact (applications generally take 5 working days); changes such as a new or ceased client updated within 10 business days; details reviewed twice a year, on 1 February and 1 July, with 10 business days to update.
- What is the maximum penalty for on the Federal Lobbyists Register?
- The Code is administrative: a lobbyist who breaches it may be removed from the Register, and a serious breach can bar registration or re-registration for up to 3 months; the Attorney-General can direct that a lobbyist be refused registration or removed on integrity grounds (Code ss 13(4), 14(3)). Separately, failing to register under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 when required may attract criminal penalties
- What evidence is required for on the Federal Lobbyists Register?
- Published Register entry for the organisation, lobbyists and clients; witnessed statutory declaration for each lobbyist; records of first-contact disclosures (client, registration, any prohibition-period status); change log showing 10-business-day updates and the 1 February and 1 July reviews; Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme registration where lobbying for a foreign principal.
Source: https://www.ag.gov.au/integrity/australian-government-register-lobbyists/information-lobbyists. Rules Mate is not a law firm. Always verify against the live regulator source before acting.