Funding and disclosure - all participants

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Overview

The Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) provides funding to support election-related activities under the Electoral Act 1985 (the Act). This includes funding for registered political parties, independent MPs, candidates, and groups. All payments are indexed annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Key funding streams
  1. Public funding - including advance payments to support campaign activities
  2. Administrative expenditure funding - covering operational costs, with options for one-off payments
  3. Policy development funding - to assist in the formulation of party policies.

👉 See funding and disclosure information specific to political parties.

Electoral reforms

From 1 July 2025, the Electoral (Accountability and Integrity) Amendment Act 2024  introduced reforms to South Australia’s electoral framework to strengthen transparency, accountability, and integrity in electoral funding and political donations.

To support stakeholders, the Electoral Commission will provide ongoing guidance to assist participants in understanding their obligations under the new legislation; however, independent legal advice is encouraged.

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Public funding

To qualify for a payment of public funding, candidates and groups must meet minimum vote thresholds.

  • Candidates: Must be elected or receive at least 4% (House of Assembly) or 2% (Legislative Council) of total primary votes.
  • Groups: Must have at least one elected member or receive at least 2% of total primary votes (Legislative Council).

Funding entitlement

Public funding is calculated per eligible vote and varies depending on the type of participant and their parliamentary status. There are 2 types of entitlements: standard and tapered.

Candidate or group type Entitlement type Funding rate (2026 indexed)

Endorsed by a registered political party with at least one MP at dissolution

Standard

 $5.50 per eligible vote
Endorsed by a registered political party with no MPs at dissolution

Tapered

 $6.00 per vote for first 10% of total primary votes
$5.50 per vote thereafter
Independent candidate or group with a sitting MP at dissolution Standard $8.50 per eligible vote
Other independent candidates or groups Tapered $9.00 per vote for first 10% of total primary votes
$8.50 per vote thereafter

 Important:

  • Funding is limited to actual political expenditure incurred.
  • No payment will be made without satisfactory evidence of political expenditure.

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Appointing an agent

Agents manage funding and disclosure obligations and ensure compliance with the Act.

👉 See our agents page for details.

Prescribed details for returns

Under the Act, all participants required to lodge returns, including registered political parties, third parties, associated entities, and their agents, must include prescribed details to meet funding and disclosure obligations.

These details include:

  • Agent information: Name, contact details, and appointment status.
  • State campaign account details: Bank name, account number, and registration confirmation.
  • Receipts and debts: Amounts received or owed over $1,000.
  • Political expenditure: Evidence of campaign-related spending.
  • Donations: Source, amount, and purpose.
  • Annual and election returns: Lodged within statutory timeframes.

If the donor or creditor is an association, trust, foundation, or body corporate, the returns must include:

  • Names of executive committee or board members.
  • Parent, subsidiary, or related entities.
  • These details can be omitted if they are publicly available and the return includes a reference and website link to the publication.

State campaign accounts

Required for managing donations, public funding, and political expenditure. Must be opened with an authorised bank and registered with ECSA.

👉 See our state campaign accounts page for details.

Expenditure caps and reporting

Expenditure caps apply to political participants during election periods. These rules help ensure fairness and transparency in campaign spending.

  • Spending limits apply from 1 July before the election to 30 days after polling day.
  • Participants spending over $5,000 must lodge a capped expenditure return within 60 days after polling day.

👉 See our expenditure caps page for details.

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Types of funding

Advance funding

Provides early access to public funds before polling day. Requires eligibility certification and may require repayment if conditions aren’t met.

👉 Learn more on our advance funding page.

👉 For detailed information, see:

By-elections

Advance public funding is available in a House of Assembly by-election, but only under strict conditions.

👉 Learn more on our advance funding page.

Administrative funding

Administrative funding (formerly known as special assistance funding) is a form of public funding provided under Division 5 of the Act. It is paid as a half-yearly entitlement to eligible registered political parties and independent members of parliament to assist with the reimbursement of administrative expenditure.

Funding is available to:

  • Registered political parties with one or more members in the South Australian Parliament (House of Assembly or Legislative Council)
  • Independent members of parliament.

👉See or administrative funding page for details.

Policy development funding

Reimburses registered parties for policy-related expenses incurred during the financial year.

👉 See our policy development funding page for details. 

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