Parties and Candidates
- Details
On this page
- Overview
- Purpose
- Eligibility
- Use of funds
- Funding amounts
- Administrative funding payments
- One-off payments
- Repayments
Overview
Administrative funding (formerly known as special assistance funding) is a form of public funding provided under Division 5 of the Electoral Act 1985 (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.
Before the amendments introduced by the Electoral (Accountability and Integrity) Amendment Act 2024, public funding provided under Division 5 of the Electoral Act was known as special assistance funding.
👉 View historical special assistance funding.
For detailed instructions and legislative references, see the Administrative Funding Guide (PDF, 241KB).
Purpose
Registered political parties and independent members of parliament may be eligible to receive administrative funding. This funding is to cover administrative expenses, including:
- Administration, operation or management of the activities of the party or member.
- Communication with members of the party on administrative, operational or management matters.
- Conferences, seminars, and meetings at which policies are discussed or formulated.
- Complying with the Act and auditing of financial accounts.
- Expenditure and remuneration of staff.
- Training of staff and volunteers.
- Equipment or vehicles whilst engaged in the matters referred to above.
- Office accommodation for staff and equipment.
- Expenditure on interest payments on loans.
Eligibility
Registered political parties
To be eligible for administrative funding, a registered political party must:
- Have at least one member in the South Australian Parliament (House of Assembly or Legislative Council) during the period.
- Be registered on the polling day of the most recent general election.
- Remain registered for the entire funding period.
Special rule for 2025
Despite section 130 U(1)(b)(ii) of the Act, a registered political party will still be considered eligible for the July—December 2025 half-year period if:
- it was registered on or before 1 August 2025, and
- It stayed registered until 31 December 2025.
Independent members of parliament
Independent members of parliament are also eligible for administrative funding.
Who is not eligible
- Parties with no members in either the House of Assembly or Legislative Council.
Use of funds
- Administrative funding must not be paid into a state campaign account.
- Administrative funding must not be used for political or electoral expenditure.
- Two or more registered political parties cannot rely on the same person for entitlement to, or payment of, administrative funding.
How to apply
- Complete the administrative expenditure funding application form within 30 days of the end of the period.
- Return the completed form by email to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Funding amounts
Payments are made twice a year (half-yearly) and are indexed annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Payment structure
| Recipient type | Elected members | Funding amount (half-yearly) |
| Registered political party | 1 member | $85,000 |
| Registered political party | 2 members | $245,000 |
| Registered political party | Each additional member (beyond 2) | $55,000 (capped) |
| Registered political party | Maximum funding | $800,000 |
| Independent member of parliament | 1 member | $20,000 |
View administrative funding payments by period
👉 Half-yearly payments made to eligible parties and independent members
One-off payment
The one‑off payment provides reimbursement for eligible administrative costs incurred as a result of funding and disclosure reforms. It is designed to recognise the additional administrative burden placed on registered political parties and independent members of parliament who are eligible for administrative funding.
Purpose
- Reimburses one-off costs associated with meeting funding and disclosure obligations.
- Supports parties and independent members facing additional administrative requirements created by recent reforms.
Availability
- Available from 1 July 2025 to 3 August 2026.
How to claim
- Paid on receipt of a one-off administrative funding claim form.
Funding limit
- Registered political parties: up to $200,000.
- Independent members of parliament: up to $50,000.
A cost already claimed under administrative funding cannot be claimed again as part of this one-off payment.
One-off payment recipients
| Name | Amount |
| Liberal Party of Australia (SA) | $191,011.56 |
Repayment of funds
The Electoral Commissioner may require repayment of unspent administrative funding in the following circumstances:
- Did not contest the election.
- Ceases to operate, becomes unregistered, or a seat becomes vacant.
- Changes status, such as:
- A non-party member joining a registered political party.
- Standing in an election for a registered political party.
- Details
List of candidates
House of Assembly
Legislative Council
Advertising
Need help?:
- Details
Policy development funding provides reimbursement to eligible registered political parties for approved policy development expenditure incurred during a calendar year. Full instructions and legislative references are available in the Policy Development Funding Guide (PDF, 186KB).
Eligibility
A party is eligible for annual payments when it meets both the following conditions:
- It is an entitled registered political party for at least 12 months during the full calendar year of expenditure.
- It is not receiving administrative funding.
Funding amount
Eligible parties may receive up to $20,000 per year (indexed from 2026), based on actual policy development expenditure.
This funding must not be paid into a state campaign account and cannot be used for political or electoral expenditure.
What qualifies as policy development expenditure
Expenditure may include activities such as:
- Hosting conferences, seminars, meetings, or similar functions where party policies are discussed.
- Providing information about party policies to members and supporters.
- Conducting research for the purpose of developing party policies.
How to claim
Eligible parties can submit a claim to the Electoral Commission of South Australia within 30 days after the end of the calendar year to which the expenditure relates.
Policy development funding payments
The following table lists all policy development funding payments made to eligible political participants for the half-year period 1 July 2025 – 31 December 2025.
| Name | Amount ($) |
| Family First Party Inc | 20,000.00 |
| National Party of Australia (SA) Inc | 596.59 |
| Pauline Hanson’s One Nation (SA) | 5,150.73 |
| Stephen Pallaras Real Change SA | 484.52 |
| Total | 26,231.84 |
- Details
Registers maintained by the Electoral Commissioner
Under the Electoral Act 1985 (the Act), the Electoral Commissioner is responsible for maintaining several official registers. These registers promote transparency and accountability in electoral processes and ensure compliance with the Act.
Agents
This register records the names and addresses of all appointed agents. Each entry is conclusive evidence of appointment under the Act. Removal may occur due to resignation, termination, or conviction.
Nominated entities
This register lists each nominated entity, including its name, address, associated political party, and any other details required by regulation. It must be published on the Electoral Commission’s website.
Political parties
This register contains all political parties registered under the Act. It is available for public inspection, free of charge, during ordinary office hours at the Electoral Commissioner’s principal office.
Third parties
This register lists all third parties registered under Division 8A of the Act. It must be published on the Electoral Commission’s website.
- Details
On this page
- Legislative Council elections
- Payment structure
- Lodging a certificate
- Early payment
- Deductions and repayments
- Compliance and auditing
Overview
Advance public funding is a new initiative introduced under the Electoral (Accountability and Integrity) Amendment Act 2024. It provides eligible political participants with early access to public funds to support their state election campaigns.
This funding is available to candidates, groups, registered political parties, and independent members who meet specific requirements and lodge the appropriate certificate before polling day. Payments are made in instalments and are calculated based on previous election results or a legislated set amount.
Advance funding is designed to help cover legitimate campaign costs during the capped expenditure period. Strict rules apply to eligibility, timing, use of funds, and repayment obligations.
For full requirements and processes, see the Advance Funding Guide.
Legislative Council elections
Under Section 130PC of the Electoral Act 1985 (the Act), the Electoral Commissioner may provide advance public funding for candidates and groups contesting the Legislative Council (LC) district during a general election. Payments are made in 2 instalments.
Eligibility
Advance payments are available to:
- Entitled registered political party
- Other registered political party
- Independent LC candidate (current/former MP)
- Group of LC candidates (includes current/former MP)
- Entitled LC group (not endorsed by a party)
- Entitled LC candidate (not endorsed by a party)
- LC minor party
- Meets specific criteria and endorses candidates in both LC and HA districts.
To receive funding, the agent of the recipient must lodge a section 130PF certificate with the Electoral Commissioner before polling day.
Payment structure
Advance funding is paid in 2 instalments:
- Payment A: 60% of the notional amount (or set amount)
- Payment A is made after the section 130PF certificate is lodged.
- Payment B: 20% of the notional amount (or set amount)
- Payment B is made after the writ is issued or nominating/grouping is confirmed (whichever applies).
Payments are made to the state campaign account, not to individuals.
How it's calculated
Notional amount = eligible votes from previous LC election x per-vote amount (section 130P).
Special rules apply to:
- Newly registered parties (between 2 LC elections.
- Minor parties using votes from the 2 preceding LC elections.
Advance funding by recipient
| Recipient | Payment A | Payment B |
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Entitled registered political party |
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| Other registered political party |
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Independent LC candidate (current or former MP) |
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Group of LC candidates (includes current or former MP) |
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| Entitled LC group (not endorsed by a party) |
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| Entitled LC candidate (not endorsed by a political party) |
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Lodging a section 130PF certificate
Timing:
- Must be lodged after the capped expenditure period begins.
- Must be lodged before polling day.
Once lodged:
- The certificate cannot be withdrawn.
Missed deadline:
- No advance funding will be paid.
- You may still qualify under section 130Q(3)(b) if a section 130Q certificate is lodged within 14 days after polling day.
Early payment of certain advance funding
Under section 130PD of the Act, certain political participants may request an early payment of a portion of their advance public funding before the capped expenditure period begins.
👉 See advance funding early payment page for more information
Deductions and repayments
Section 130PE of the Act outlines how advance public funding received under sections 130PA to 130PD is managed in relation to final public funding entitlements for Legislative Council elections.
Deductions
Any advance funding received for Legislative Council elections will be deducted from the amount of public funding payable under section 130P.
Repayment
The Electoral Commissioner may require repayment of advance funding if any of the following conditions apply:
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Non-participation
The party, candidate, or group does not contest the election.
Exception: A valid reason for non-participation may be accepted by the Electoral Commissioner. -
No entitlement to public funding
Repayment may be required if the agent represents:- A party with no members of parliament at the time of dissolution.
- A candidate or group with no parliamentary representation.
and there is no entitlement under section 130Q(1) or (2).
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Vote share affects entitlement
For candidates or groups without parliamentary representation, the amount of public funding is based on the percentage of first preference votes received:- 0% to 10%: $3.50 per eligible vote (indexed).
- More than 10%: $3.00 per eligible vote (indexed).
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Party dissolution
The party ceases to operate, is deregistered, or is being dissolved or wound up before polling day.
Compliance and auditing
Participants who receive advance public funding are subject to compliance obligations under the Act and the Regulations. These obligations ensure that public funds are used appropriately and transparently.
Record-keeping requirements
All participants must maintain accurate and complete records of:
- Campaign-related expenditure funded by advance payments.
- Invoices, receipts, and contracts for goods and services.
- Staff employment records and payment details.
- Advertising materials and distribution logs.
- Bank statements for the state campaign account.
Records must be retained for at least 4 years after polling day and be made available to the Electoral Commissioner upon request.
Auditing and review
The Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) may:
- Audit campaign expenditure to verify compliance with funding rules.
- Request supporting documentation for any claimed expenses.
- Investigate potential misuse of public funds or breaches of the Act.
Participants may be required to repay funds if:
- Expenditure is found to be ineligible.
- Records are incomplete or inaccurate.
- The participant fails to meet vote thresholds or other eligibility criteria.
Penalties for non-compliance
Failure to comply with funding conditions may result in:
- Repayment of advance funding.
- Loss of future funding eligibility.
- Referral for investigation under electoral or criminal law.
ECSA encourages all participants to seek professional advice and maintain strong financial governance throughout the campaign period.