New rules to stop another 'Mediscare'

Voters will know which political parties are sending them bulk text messages and robocalls under new rules that come into force in March.

Labor controversially used bulk texts to claim the coalition was going to privatise Medicare in 2016, leading a parliamentary committee to call for stronger rules to apply to political advertising after the so-called 'Mediscare' campaign.

The changes to the Electoral Act will extend to existing authorisation rules to online platforms, bulk text messages and robocalls.

"Electoral advertising and communications or broadcasts of political, electoral and referendum matters that run from March 15 must include an authorisation compliant with the new rules," electoral commissioner Tom Rogers said on Tuesday.

The rules will be in place just before Victoria's March 17 Batman by-election, and Mr Rogers "strongly encouraged" anyone considering using technology to reach voters to examine the new rules.

Political parties, election candidates, third parties and government agencies planning advertising for elections and referendums must comply with the updated rules.

The changes also introduce civil penalties for non-compliance.