In accordance with section 311A of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, the department reports expenditure on advertising and market research.

In 2017–18, the department paid a total of $13,221 for advertising. Of the total, $5,185 was in relation to Senate and joint committee activities, delivered through dentsu X, the Commonwealth Government’s central advertising system. The balance was for other minor advertising services, including public notices and recruitment. No market research, polling, direct mail or creative advertising organisations were engaged during the year. No advertising campaigns were conducted during the year.