Policy development funding provides reimbursement to eligible registered political parties for policy development expenditure incurred during a financial year.

Eligibility

A party is eligible for annual payments if:

• It is an entitled registered political party for at least 12 months during the full calendar year of expenditure, and
• It is not receiving administrative funding.

Note: A registered party is considered eligible if it has been registered for 12 months or more as of 1 January and remains registered for the entire calendar year.

Funding amount

Eligible parties may receive up to $20,000 per year (indexed from 2026), based on actual policy development expenditure.

Important: 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.

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.

Prior to 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.

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, 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.

Eligibility

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

Use of funds

• Must not be paid into the state campaign account.
• Must not be used for political or electoral expenditure.

Who is not eligible

• Parties with no members in either the House of Assembly or Legislative Council.

How to apply

1. Complete the administrative expenditure funding application form within 30 days of the end of the period.
2. 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

A nominated entity is an associated organisation that a registered political party has formally appointed to act on its behalf. Under the Electoral Act 1985, each political party may appoint up to 2 nominated entities, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

The Electoral Commissioner maintains a public register of nominated entities, which includes:

• The name and address of each nominated entity.
• The political party it is associated with.

This register ensures transparency and accountability in political party operations.

Current register