Parties and Candidates
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
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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.
View one-off administrative funding payments made
👉 One-off administrative funding payments
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.
List of candidates
House of Assembly
Legislative Council
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Funding and disclosure
Need help?:
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 |
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.