About ECSA - Electoral Commission SA

The Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) produces an annual report that details activities, audited financial statements and performance indicators for the financial year.

In 2017 the Department of the Premier and Cabinet established new guidelines for annual reporting which stipulate only information required by Act, Regulation or public complaints by the Ombudsman be included with audited financial statements.

To ensure information previously included in annual reports is still made available, ECSA also published a ‘Year in Review’ for 3years (2016–17 to 2018–19). For the 2019–20 year onwards, ECSA will provide this information in an online format titled ‘Data and Statistics’.

Year	PDF download	Online version
2023-2024	Annual Report 2023-24 (PDF, 2.3Mb ) Annual Report Financial Statement (PDF, 500k)
2022–2023	Annual Report 2022–23 (PDF, 913KB)
2021–2022	Annual Report 2021–22 (PDF, 960KB)	Data and statistics 2021–22
2020–2021	Annual Report 2020–21 (PDF, 2MB)	Data and statistics 2020–21
2019–2020	Annual Report 2019–20 (PDF, 1.3MB)	Data and statistics 2019–20
2018–2019	Annual Report 2018–19 (PDF, 1.4MB) Year in Review 2018–19 (PDF, 2.9MB)
2017–2018	Annual report 2017–18 (PDF, 1.7MB) Year in Review 2017–18 (PDF, 4.5MB)
2016–2017	Annual Report 2016–17 (PDF, 800KB) Year in Review 2016–17 (PDF, 2.6MB)	Annual Report 2016–17 Year in Review 2016–17
2015–2016	Annual Report 2015–16 (PDF, 3MB)
2014–2015	Annual report 2014–15 (PDF, 5.7MB)
2013–2014	Annual report 2013–14 (PDF, 7.2MB)
2012–2013	Annual report 2012–13 (PDF, 6.3MB)
2011–2012	Annual report 2011–12 (PDF, 3.5MB)
2010–2011	Annual report 2010–11 (PDF, 4MB)
2009–2010	Annual report 2009–10 (PDF, 6.2MB)
2008–2009	Annual report 2008–09 (PDF, 3MB)
2007–2008	Annual report 2007–08 (PDF, 1MB)
2006–2007	Annual report 2006–07 (PDF, 2MB)
2005–2006	Annual report 2005–06 (PDF, 1.5MB)
2004–2005	Annual report 2004–05 (PDF, 1MB)

Reporting and disclosing

Other corporate publications

The Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA)’s Feedback and Complaint Policy outlines the definitions, principles and responsibilities with respect to managing feedback (including compliments) and complaints. This policy is intended to ensure that ECSA handles feedback and complaints fairly, efficiently and effectively.

Download ECSA's feedback and complaint policy (PDF, 303KB)

Electoral advertising:

If you are considering making an electoral complaint, please view the relevant electoral advertising page which provides the legislative provisions the complaint is assessed against.

How to provide feedback

Feedback on ECSA services and operations can be provided using our online form:

Feedback form >>

Or you can:

write to us at:
Electoral Commission SA
GPO Box 646
Adelaide SA 5001
phone us on:
- 1300 655 232 (within SA)
- +61 8 7424 7400 (interstate or overseas)
email us at:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
visit us at:
Electoral Commission SA
Level 6, 60 Light Square
Adelaide SA
- find us on the map using this link

How to submit a complaint

We deal with 2 types of complaints:

Service complaints: Complaints about services provided by ECSA, or the operations of ECSA.

Electoral complaints: Complaints alleging a breach or breaches of provisions of either the Electoral Act 1985 or the Local Government (Elections) Act 1999, by ECSA or any other person or entity (including political parties).

Making a complaint

You can lodge a complaint using our online form:

Complaint form >>

or you can write to us at:
Electoral Commission SA
GPO Box 646
Adelaide SA 5001

The complaint must establish the facts which are the basis of the allegation and be supported by evidence of any alleged electoral offence.

If sufficient evidence is not submitted, we may seek further information to enable proper assessment of the complaint. The matter will remain on hold until we have the information.

What you can expect from us

Where contact details are provided, we will acknowledge all feedback and complaints within 2 business days.
We aim to resolve most complaints within 5 business days.
In complex matters which cannot be resolved within 5 business days, we will advise on the time frame expected and keep the complainant up-to-date throughout the process.
We may request information from complainants, respondents and other parties in order for the electoral commissioner to make their determination. If deadlines for these requests are not met, the electoral commissioner may make a determination without the information.
We will treat all matters in a fair, unbiased and objective manner. You will not be adversely affected if you make a complaint.
Any personal information provided in your feedback or complaint will be managed in accordance with relevant legal and policy requirements.

We will be clear about how a complaint has been resolved. Where a complaint remains unresolved or cannot be resolved satisfactorily, we will provide information about how our handling of a complaint can be reviewed or appealed.

Confidentiality

We treat complaints and feedback confidentially, however in some circumstances may be required to disclose information to resolve the complaint or feedback.

Where the parties involved in a complaint have publicised the matter, the electoral commissioner may confirm the existence of a complaint with the media, but will not discuss the details.

We may make public comment regarding feedback and complaints, in order to ensure electors are aware of a situation and or have accurate information.

Still not satisfied?

Service complaints

If the matter is still not resolved to your satisfaction then you can contact the Ombudsman SA.

The ombudsman is available to help people who have complaints against the administrative actions of Government of South Australia departments or agencies. You can contact the ombudsman using one of the folling options:

Phone: 08 8226 8699
Phone: 1800 182 150 (outside metro SA only)
Website: ombudsman.sa.gov.au

Please note that if you have not attempted to resolve the issue with ECSA, the ombudsman's office may request that you do so before they formally record or investigate your complaint.

Electoral complaints

There are no review or appeal avenues provided for by legislation.

Note: Matters about the conduct and practice of public officers and public authorities in South Australian public administration, specifically corruption, misconduct and maladministration, can be reported via the Office for Public Integrity.

SA First Nations Voice Election

Feedback and complaints regarding the SA First Nations Voice Election will be handled in accordance with the Feedback and complaint Policy – SA First Nations Voice to Parliament election and can be made using the online Complaint Form.

Complaints made in relation to a person’s eligibility to participate in this election will be investigated, however the Electoral Commissioner does not have any power to remove a candidate from an election, or remove a vote from the electoral process. Any action which may be able to be taken will occur after the election. These complaints will be acknowledged but ECSA won’t be able to provide responses or updates on them.

Following the elections, electors and candidates may be able to lodge a petition with the Court of Disputed Returns to challenge the validity of an election.

For more information, visit: savoiceelection.sa.gov.au/complaints