Under the Lobbyist Code of Conduct, a lobbyist is a person, company or organisation who works on behalf of a third-party client to influence government decisions.
All lobbyists must apply to join the register. They can’t conduct lobbying activities until they’ve been approved and appear on the register.
If you’re a Government Affairs Director
Government Affairs Directors also engage in lobbying activities but must register on the Register of Government Affairs Directors(opens in a new window).
Statutory declaration forms
Before you apply to join the register
Step 1
Read the Lobbyist Code of Conduct
Read and understand your obligations under the Code of Conduct.
Step 2
Prepare your details
When you apply, you'll need to enter the:
- business name, trading name and contact details of your organisation and an Australian Business Number (ABN) if applicable
- names, positions and a witnessed organisation statutory declaration for an owner, director or major shareholder if you're registering an organisation
- names, positions, former affiliations and witnessed statutory declarations for all lobbyists
- names of any third-party clients you represent and lobby on behalf of
Step 3
Declare former affiliations
Lobbyists have a duty to act ethically and transparently. Senior public officials can't participate in lobbying activities for a period of time after they've officially resigned. See section 7.1 to 7.3 of the Code of Conduct.
You can't engage in lobbying activities if within 18 months you've served as:
- a national or state secretary or director, or deputy or assistant secretary or director of a registered political party
You can't engage in lobbying activities if within 12 months you've served as:
- a minister or parliamentary secretary of a state or Commonwealth government
- a chief of staff, senior adviser or adviser in the private office of a Commonwealth or state minister, or parliamentary secretary
Step 4
Upload statutory declarations
You’ll need to upload witnessed statutory declarations for:
- an owner, director or major shareholder, if you're registering an organisation
- all lobbyists, including any owner, director or major shareholder who engages in lobbying activities
Step 5
Choose a responsible officer
The responsible officer is the point of contact and will manage your details on the register.
They don't need to register as a lobbyist unless they'll be conducting lobbying activities.
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