How to maximise the impact of your pre-budget submission

You’ve done the research, had the meetings, written, edited, proofread and FINALLY sent off your pre-budget submission to government. Now what? How do you ensure that your hard work and great ideas make an impact? Simply following formal submission processes isn’t enough - you need a strategic approach to cut through the noise and give your recommendations the best chance of being noticed and acted upon by decision-makers.

Here are six practical ways to maximise the impact of your pre-budget submission and give your advocacy efforts get the recognition they deserve:

1. Make it easy to find on your website

It sounds obvious, but many organisations overlook this crucial step. Your website is often the first place people - politicians, journalists, stakeholders - will check to understand your budget priorities. Make sure your submission is easy to find by featuring it prominently on your homepage or in a dedicated advocacy section. Consider using a clear, simple URL (e.g., yourwebsite.com/budgetsubmission) and promoting it through internal newsletters and staff communications. The easier it is to find, the more likely it is to be read.

2. Write a media release highlighting key points

A well-crafted media release can help to generate public and political momentum. Instead of summarising your entire submission, focus on three key asks and provide compelling, real-world examples to support them. If you have strong data points or figures, include them - numbers help make an argument more persuasive. Journalists and policymakers respond well to clear, evidence-based arguments – numbers, impact stories, and urgency matter. Keep it concise and structured for easy pick-up by media outlets. Don’t forget to also send the release to key stakeholders, including politicians.

3. Go beyond formal submission channels

While submitting your pre-budget submission through the official treasury portal is essential, don’t stop there. Direct engagement is key - send your submission (along with a sharp, one-page summary) to:

• Ministers and opposition spokespeople
• Relevant parliamentary committees
• Key independent MPs and senators
• Politicians who have been vocal about related issues.

Decision-makers are inundated with information, so a personalised, concise covering letter highlighting why your proposal matters now can make all the difference.

4. Build momentum with stakeholder support

The more voices there are advocating for your proposals, the more likely they are to get noticed. Identify relevant industry groups, advocacy organisations and community stakeholders, and ask them to support at least one of your key recommendations.  Don’t be shy about asking a friendly stakeholder group to directly support a proposal from your submission which aligns with their priorities. Also, encourage them to reference your submission in their own budget advocacy efforts—when multiple voices are pushing for the same outcome, governments are more likely to take notice.

5. Leverage social media

Social media is a powerful tool for amplifying your message. Create posts highlighting key points from your submission, using eye-catching images, graphics, or infographics to grab attention. The posts don’t need to be lengthy—short, pithy statements with compelling hooks work best. Ensure every post includes a link to the full submission so that interested readers can find out more. Tailor your content for different platforms: a Twitter/X thread for policymakers, a LinkedIn article for professionals and Instagram stories for broader public engagement.

6. Use email signatures for free promotion

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to promote your pre-budget submission is by adding a link to it in every email your organisation sends. Ask all staff to include a clickable link in their email signatures for a set period after the submission has been lodged (e.g., three months). Every email that goes out from your organisation then becomes a chance to direct people to your budget submission—this is a free, passive, and surprisingly effective way to boost engagement.

Final thoughts

A strong pre-budget submission is an important advocacy tool, but its impact depends on how well you promote it. By making it accessible and engaging to media and stakeholders and by leveraging simple promotional tactics, you can increase the chances of real policy influence.

Advocacy doesn’t end with submission – it’s about strategic follow through. With the right approach, you can increase the chances that your recommendations will influence decision-makers and lead to meaningful change.

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