Policies: 2026 South Australian Election

South Australia’s planning rules often prevent developers from building higher-density housing (such as apartments) for reasons like preserving neighbourhood character. To increase housing supply, other states are allowing more housing near existing infrastructure and public transport and South Australia is preparing to pre-approve taller buildings in Adelaide CBD.

Housing projects often face barriers like rising land prices and high financing costs. To address these barriers, this proposal would create a fund to purchase land and provide government support – like in NSW – by guaranteeing the purchase of a share of off-the-plan homes, reducing developer risk and accelerating construction.

In South Australia, around 43,000 households live in government-subsidised social housing. While SA Housing Trust is building hundreds of new homes, over 13,000 applicants are still on the waitlist.

Rent caps limit how often landlords can increase rent and by how much, which can improve affordability in the short-term. In South Australia, landlords can raise rent once a year and tenants can challenge excessive increases through the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, while other states have built-in processes to review rent increases that are higher than average.

Stamp duty is a state tax on property purchases. South Australia currently offers stamp duty relief for eligible first homebuyers on new homes. This proposal would extend this relief to first homebuyers for existing homes (under a certain value), as well as older South Australians downsizing to smaller homes (also under a certain value).

Households in South Australia generally use less gas than those in other states but often pay higher prices. Developers often connect new homes to the gas network automatically, making it harder for residents to switch to electric appliances.

Landlords can be reluctant to invest in solar panels because they do not pay the electricity bills, meaning renters (who pay the bills) often miss out on the benefits. Grants and rebates – like those available in Victoria – can encourage landlords to install solar systems, helping to lower energy bills for renters.

Renters have few legal rights to make modifications to their home. Minimum energy efficiency standards – like those in Victoria – would require landlords to meet basic requirements for heating, cooling, hot water, shower heads, ceiling insulation and draughtproofing.

For apartment residents, installing shared solar panels and battery systems can be complex and expensive. In addition to the existing community solar banks program, other options for government support include solar rebates for apartment building owners to install solar (like in Victoria) and funding community-owned solar gardens (like the Haystacks Solar Garden in NSW).

Green spaces help to reduce heat, support biodiversity, improve health and wellbeing and maximise economic benefits. For example, Adelaide’s Urban Greening Strategy aims to increase the city’s tree canopy from 17% to 30% by 2055.

Access to clean, safe and adequate drinking water is a basic human right. South Australia has limited and increasingly stressed water supplies, making water more expensive and harder to access, particularly for regional and vulnerable communities.

The Senate inquiry into algal blooms found that the delay in response was caused by limited long-term data and monitoring and uncertainty around responsibilities, recommending the Australian Government consider sustained funding for long-term research and monitoring (including through the Office for Algal Bloom Research in South Australia) and long-term resilience and recovery programs.

Healthy ecosystems can store carbon, reduce erosion, absorb flood waters, protect coastlines, and keep water clean. While some natural areas are protected or semi-protected, increasing these areas could improve resilience to climate change and extreme weather.

South Australia’s waste strategy supports businesses to adopt circular practices and reduce waste – such as single use plastics – going to landfill. However, South Australia’s plastic recycling rate is only 28%, and without stronger regulations, corporations can avoid paying for the full environmental, social, and economic costs of plastic pollution.

South Australia is expanding childcare services in regional areas and rolling out preschool for 3-year-olds. This proposal would build new centres and expand existing ones, increasing access and lowering costs for families.

Student outcomes improve when schools better meet children’s broader health and educational needs. Governments can support schools by providing resources and tools to offer more inclusive environments – such as sensory-friendly classrooms for students with autism – and on-site health and community services such as psychologists and speech pathologists.

STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills are crucial for Australia's changing future. Aiming to prepare students and workers for quality skilled jobs, this proposal would create more apprenticeships, university scholarships, upskilling courses, and technical colleges.

Families often face ‘hidden’ costs – such as uniforms, devices and voluntary contributions – meaning public school education is not free in practice. This proposal would fully cover materials and services charges (building on the current $200 discount) and waive fees for extracurricular activities during school hours.

South Australia has committed funding to upgrade and replace buildings at high priority education sites under its 20-year infrastructure plan. This proposal would increase investment to upgrade more facilities.

Renewable energy generation, transmission and battery storage projects are key to keeping electricity prices affordable, increasing reliability and reducing climate pollution. These projects can bring employment opportunities and a range of other benefits to communities.

South Australia provided $37 million in assistance to fossil fuel industries in 2024–25, with longer-term commitments worth $98 million. Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and funding could be redirected to renewable energy and better public services.

Gas is a fossil fuel that contributes to climate change, causing more frequent and intense bushfires, floods and heatwaves, while also increasing household energy bills. Existing gas projects could meet domestic energy needs for more than half a century, but gas companies export most of Australia’s gas overseas and pay relatively little in royalties.

With fewer GPs per person than the national average, South Australia is trialling the Single Employer Model to give trainees stability and offering rural attraction payments to address workforce shortages. This proposal would expand financial incentives to recruit and retain healthcare professionals, particularly in regional areas.

Ambulance ramping is a system-wide issue caused by increased demand and limited hospital beds. Dedicated mental health assessment units can improve both patient experience and safety, reducing pressure on emergency departments.

Healthy lifestyle habits can reduce the risk of chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Preventive Health SA’s priorities include obesity, smoking, alcohol and drug use, and mental health. This proposal would increase funding for preventative health programs.

Payroll taxes (paid by employers on wages) increase the cost of seeing a GP by roughly $10 per visit. Many GP clinics struggle to  cover costs to operate for longer hours. This proposal would remove payroll tax on GPs and provide funding to support extended opening hours.

In South Australia, abortion is treated as a healthcare service and regulated by legal safeguards. In 2024 and 2025, parliamentarians attempted to repeal the state’s existing laws and restrict access to abortion later in pregnancy, including for people facing serious health risks or complex circumstances such as abuse or rape.

Infertility affects about 1 in 6 Australian couples trying to conceive. While Medicare covers some costs, each cycle of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) can cost several thousand dollars. This proposal would provide additional rebates for pre-IVF fertility testing and fertility treatments.

ExpandingSouth Australia's EV charging network can make it easier to drive an EV and support a long-term shift in how people travel across regions.

Well-maintained roads are essential for access to work, education, healthcare and other services, particularly in regional and outer suburban areas with limited public transport.

South Australians use public transport less because of a lack of convenience and availability. More routes, frequency and options for commuters could encourage more people to use buses, trains and trams.

Adelaide Metro fares for buses, trains and trams can become a significant expense for people who rely on public transport.

Walking and cycling are among the most affordable and accessible ways for people to get around, yet only a small proportion of South Australian workers walk or cycle to work, often due to unsafe or disconnected paths.

Early intervention and community support programs aim to address the root causes of crime, including poverty, family violence, abuse and homelessness. Other states have trialled evidence-based approaches like targeted education and youth programs alongside practical support for families.

In South Australia, children aged 10 and above can be charged with a criminal offence. Other states have raised the minimum age of criminal responsibility to align with the UN recommended age of 14, reflecting evidence about brain development and the effectiveness of appropriate health and social supports in reducing reoffending. South Australia is considering raising the minimum age to 12.

Police recommend combining multiple security measures to deter crime such as theft. Under this proposal, businesses and councils could apply for grants to cover the costs of security measures like CCTV, alarm and intercom systems, lighting, and fences or gates.