How the register works

This site is a register of active lobbyists in Victoria. It’s managed by the Victorian Public Sector Commission(opens in a new window).

The Lobbyist Code of Conduct sets out the rules for contact between lobbyists, Government Affairs Directors (GADs) and government representatives.

All lobbyists must apply to join the register. They can’t conduct lobbying activities until they’ve been approved and appear on the register.

Registered lobbyists must:

  • keep their details up to date
  • confirm their details within 10 working days of 30 June each year

If you’re a Government Affairs Director

Government Affairs Directors must apply to be on the Register of Government Affairs Directors(opens in a new window).

You're a Government Affairs Director if you lobby for an employer who's not a lobbyist firm and have held a position as either a:

  • national or state secretary or director, or deputy or assistant secretary or director of a registered political party
  • minister or parliamentary secretary of a state or Commonwealth government
  • chief of staff, senior adviser or adviser in the private office of a Commonwealth or state minister, or parliamentary secretary

What’s on the register

The register has:

  • the business details of lobbying firms, including names of owners, partners or major shareholders
  • the names and positions of all individuals conducting lobbying activity, either as a contractor while contracted or engaged by a lobbyist firm or as a sole trader
  • the names of clients the lobbyist provide paid or unpaid services for
  • the names of clients the lobbyist has provided paid or unpaid services for in the last 12 months
  • the former affiliations of lobbyists with government and registered political parties

About lobbyists

Under the Lobbyist Code, a lobbyist is a person, company or organisation who works on behalf of a third-party client to influence government decision-making.

A person, company or organisation isn't a lobbyist if they act on their own behalf, rather than a client, to influence government outcomes.

A lobbyist doesn’t include:

  • charitable, religious and non-profit organisations that represent their members’ interests
  • people who represent the personal affairs of their family or friends
  • members of trade delegations visiting Australia
  • a person who is a member of a regulated profession who deals with government as part of their day-to-day work
  • a member of a profession who occasionally makes representations to government on behalf of others as part of what they do in their job

What lobbyists do

Lobbyists try to influence favourable outcomes on government decisions like:

  • a policy
  • a change in law
  • planning decisions
  • the actions of an organisation
  • the actions of a government
  • the allocation of government grants
  • tender and contract discussions

But lobbying activities don’t include things like:

  • a response to a call for submissions or a request for information
  • a grassroots campaign to influence government policy or decisions
  • statements made in a public forum

In performing this role, lobbyists and government representatives have a duty to act ethically and in line with the Lobbyist Code.

If you become aware that someone has breached the Code of Conduct, report it to the Victorian Public Sector Commission(opens in a new window).

If you're a Victorian public sector employee

We've created a guide that explains what’s expected of Victorian public sector employees who are contacted by and work with lobbyists.

Read more

Engaging with Lobbyists: Guidance for Victorian public sector employees(opens in a new window)

Updated