No independent test of marriage survey ads

A taxpayer-funded advertising campaign for the same-sex marriage survey won't be scrutinised by an independent watchdog.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann on Thursday agreed to exempt the Australian Bureau of Statistics from government advertising guidelines for campaign advertising in relation to the postal survey.

While the campaign won't be reviewed by the independent communications committee - Senator Cormann said the ABS would "still be required to comply with the underlying principles of the guidelines" and other rules.

The four principles for campaigns include: relevant to government responsibilities; objective, fair and accessible; not directed at promoting party political interests; justifiable and able to be undertaken in an efficient, effective and relevant manner; and complies with legal requirements including electoral laws.