Parties and Candidates
Overview
A state campaign account is a dedicated financial institution account that must be used by political participants in South Australian state elections to manage donations, public funding, and political expenditure. These accounts are required for candidates, groups, registered political parties, and third parties*.
* Third parties only need a state campaign account if they receive amounts that must be paid into one under the Act.
Notification form
Agents must complete the State Campaign Account Notification form to register account details with the Electoral Commission. The form is available via the link below and must be lodged before the account can be used for deposits or expenditure.
👉 To access the form, visit our resources page.
Key requirements
- The state campaign account must be established with an authorised deposit-taking institution (ADI).
A list of ADIs can be found on the APRA Register of Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions. - Must be registered with the Electoral Commission
- The Electoral Commissioner maintains a register of state campaign accounts and your account must be listed on the register before it can be used.
- Agents are responsible for providing account details, including the name and account number, the agent responsible for the account and any other details required by the Electoral Commissioner.
Money that must be deposited
- Public funding payments
- Donations received (unless unlawful, not electoral donations or excluded by regulation)
- Funds for political expenditure or reimbursement
- For mixed-purpose payments, only the portion for political expenditure must be deposited.
Money that must not be deposited
- Administrative or policy development payments
- Transfers from federal campaign accounts under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.
Note: If money is mistakenly deposited, it is not an offence, as long as the agent takes reasonable steps to withdraw it immediately upon becoming aware of the error.
On this page
- Overview
- Electoral reforms
- Public funding
- Appointing an agent
- Prescribed details
- State campaign accounts
- Expenditure caps
- Reporting and disclosure obligations
- Types of funding
- By-elections
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
Registered political parties may be eligible for:
- Public funding - including advance payments to support campaign activities
- Administrative expenditure funding - covering operational costs, with options for one-off payments
- Policy development funding - to assist in the formulation of party policies.
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, ECSA will provide ongoing guidance to assist participants in understanding their obligations under the new legislation; however, independent legal advice is encouraged.
Public funding
Public funding supports registered political parties in covering costs associated with state election campaigns and by-elections.
Eligibility
To qualify for public funding:
- A political party must be registered for at least 8 months prior to the election.
- Funding is only available for endorsed candidates or groups who receive eligible votes (i.e. first preference votes on formal ballot papers).
- The amount payable is determined by section 130P of the Act.
Funding entitlement
Public funding is calculated per eligible vote and varies depending on the party’s parliamentary representation at the time of the election. There are 2 types of entitlements: standard, for parties with at least one sitting member of parliament, and tapered, for parties without parliamentary representation.
| Party status | Entitlement type | Funding rate (2026 indexed) |
| Party with at least one MP at dissolution | Standard | $5.50 per eligible vote |
| Party with no MPs at dissolution | Tapered | $6.00 per vote for first 10% of total primary votes $5.50 per vote thereafter |
Important:
- Funding is limited to actual political expenditure incurred.
- No payment will be made without satisfactory evidence of campaign-related costs.
- Payments are indexed annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Appointing an agent
Agents manage funding and disclosure obligations and ensure compliance with the Act.
👉 See our agents page for details
Associated entities
Learn how the Act defines an associated entity and the criteria an organisation must meet to be classified as one.
👉 See our associated entities 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.
👉 See our prescribed details page for more information
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
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
Reporting and disclosure obligations
For registered political parties, section 130ZN of the Act outlines the reporting requirements. The agent of each registered political party is required to submit a political party return at prescribed times, in a format approved by the Electoral Commissioner.
👉 See our reporting and disclosure obligations for political parties page for details
Nominated entities
Nominated entities play a key role in managing and reporting financial activity on behalf of political parties in South Australia. To understand their obligations, reporting requirements and registration details, visit our dedicated page.
Types of funding
Advance funding
Registered political parties may apply for advance funding before polling day by lodging a section 130PF certificate. Once lodged, the certificate cannot be withdrawn.
Advance funding is paid in instalments and calculated based on either:
- Previous election results (notional amount), or
- A legislated set amount (e.g. $2,500 per candidate – 2026 indexed)
Eligibility, payment structure, and repayment rules vary depending on:
- Whether the party is recontesting
- Whether endorsed candidates are current or former MPs
- Whether the election is for the House of Assembly or the Legislative Council.
👉 For full details, 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 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.
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
Policy development funding supports eligible registered political parties by reimbursing costs related to developing party policies. This funding is separate from campaign-related funding and is subject to specific eligibility and expenditure rules.
The Electoral (Accountability and Integrity) Amendment Act 2024 has introduced major reforms to the Electoral Act 1985, effective from 1 July 2025. These changes are designed to strengthen transparency, accountability, and fairness in South Australia's electoral system. Use the links below to explore how the reforms affect candidates, parties, and the electoral process.
Electoral reform
Reform highlights
Need help?:
On this page
- Overview
- Electoral reforms
- Public funding
- Appointing an agent
- Prescribed details
- State campaign accounts
- Expenditure caps
- Reporting and disclosure obligations
- Types of funding
- By-elections
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
- Public funding - including advance payments to support campaign activities
- Administrative expenditure funding - covering operational costs, with options for one-off payments
- 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, ECSA will provide ongoing guidance to assist participants in understanding their obligations under the new legislation; however, independent legal advice is encouraged.
👉 See our funding and donations reform page for more information
Public funding
Public funding supports registered political parties, candidates, and groups in covering costs associated with state election campaigns and by-elections. The amount of funding is calculated per eligible vote and varies depending on the participant’s type and parliamentary status.
Eligibility
To qualify for a payment of public funding, candidates, groups, and registered political parties must meet specific eligibility criteria:
- 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).
- Registered political parties:
- Must have been registered for at least 8 months prior to the election.
- Must meet vote thresholds similar to candidates and groups.
- Must provide satisfactory evidence of political expenditure to receive funding.
- Must operate a state campaign account for managing public funding and electoral expenses.
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.
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.
👉 See our prescribed details page for more information
State campaign accounts
Required for managing donations, public funding, and political expenditure. Must be opened with an authorised bank and registered with ECSA.
Expenditure caps
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
Reporting and disclosure obligations
Political participants must meet specific reporting requirements under South Australian electoral law. These obligations ensure transparency in campaign financing and political expenditure.
Relevant links:
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.
Policy development funding
Reimburses registered parties for policy-related expenses incurred during the financial year.