Legislation to ensure foreign agents are listed on a public register ahead of next year's federal election have passed the first hurdle of parliament.
Under the proposal people acting on behalf of foreign powers will have to reveal the relationship and detail their activities on a public register.
The register forms part of an unprecedented foreign interference scheme coming into effect on December 10.
The draft laws breezed through the lower house on Thursday, with shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus noting the technical amendments would ensure the public register captures historic information.
"It is clearly in the public interest for past associations with foreign political organisations or foreign government related entities to be on the public record," Mr Dreyfus said.
Senior cabinet minister Angus Taylor said the register would be operational ahead of the next federal election, which has been flagged for mid-May next year.
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