You must register and submit a return of your lobbying activities within 21 days (relevant date) of the end of the relevant period in which you first start lobbying activities. Once registered you must submit a return in respect of lobbying activities carried out during each subsequent relevant period.

The relevant period is the four months ending on the last day of April, August and December each year.

If you start lobbying activities between

• 1 January and 30 April, you must register and submit a return of your lobbying activities by 21 May
• 1 May and 31 August, you must register and submit a return of your lobbying activities by 21 September
• 1 September and 31 December, you must register and submit a return of your lobbying activities by 21 January. 

The Act commenced on 1 September 2015.  The first registration period, therefore is from 1 September 2015 – 31 December 2015.  Registrations and returns of lobbying activities in respect of this period must be submitted to the register by 21 January 2016.