Is your association election ready?

With the Australian federal election fast approaching on 3 May 2025, associations have a vital window to position themselves for maximum influence. Regardless of the outcome, a new government brings fresh agendas, new decision-makers, and significant opportunities for associations ready to advocate effectively. Those equipped with robust, relevant data are best placed to drive influential conversations, secure essential funding, and shape regulatory outcomes.

The 2024 Association CEO Index, conducted by Survey Matters for Bespoken and AuSAE, highlighted that government engagement provides one of the biggest opportunities for associations to make an impact. CEOs quoted in the report emphasised the importance of leveraging key political moments with current, relevant data, by indicating that "our work around the federal election gives us an opportunity to show our value proposition".

However, only 63% of CEOs surveyed believe their association was effective in advocating to government on behalf of members, with industry associations expressing confidence at 74%, compared to just 58% among professional associations. Maintaining robust government contacts is a real challenge to advocacy efforts, with only 48% of CEOs reporting strong relationships with policymakers.

Members' views echo these challenges. In 2024, only 59% of members agreed their association advocated effectively to government, significantly lower than the 74% and 72% peaks recorded during the COVID-19 years when associations visibly supported members' needs with state and federal governments.

These insights serve as both a guide and a call to action. Associations equipped with robust, relevant data are best placed to drive influential conversations, secure essential funding, and shape regulatory outcomes.

Here are the top five things association leaders need to prioritise to effectively shape future policy and funding decisions:

1. Collect independent, credible industry data. Policymakers value evidence over anecdotes. Your association should commission independent research to clearly define your industry's economic contribution, workforce capacity, and growth opportunities. Credible, third-party data not only reinforces your position but distinguishes your advocacy as authoritative and impartial.

2. Align research with policy priorities. Effective advocacy is strategic. Identify specific policy outcomes or funding requirements your association seeks, then structure research to produce compelling data that aligns directly with these themes. Tailored, targeted research transforms insights into actionable, policy-relevant arguments. 

3. Engage members meaningfully. Your members are central to credible advocacy. Design surveys and studies around members’ core concerns—whether workforce challenges, regulatory barriers, or industry trends. Promising to share the findings with participants increases engagement, improves data quality, and strengthens your collective voice.

4. Guarantee data integrity and confidentiality. Trust is essential. Members are more candid when assured of confidentiality. Partnering with an independent, professional research agency ensures anonymity, drives honesty, and boosts the trustworthiness of your data—earning credibility with both members and policymakers alike.

5. Ensure timeliness and relevance. Government decision-makers demand current insights. Data more than two years old is deemed irrelevant. Adopt a rolling research schedule to continually refresh your insights. This signals your association’s ongoing engagement, preparedness, and dedication to representing members’ needs effectively.

Advocacy with accountability: the time to prepare is now.

Advocacy is about more than being active; it’s demonstrating measurable impact. Associations that proactively prepare with credible, timely data, differentiated advocacy, and meaningful member engagement are positioned to swiftly respond to opportunities and challenges presented by new governmental leadership. Briefing notes, sector reports, and focused fact sheets, grounded in rigorous data, empower your association to influence policy outcomes confidently and effectively.

Now is the critical time to ensure your advocacy strategies are robust, credible, and ready - to clearly show policymakers that your association has genuinely moved the dial, delivering lasting benefits for your members and sector.