The Electoral (Accountability and Integrity) Amendment Act 2024 introduces advance payments for political participants who lodge a section 130PF certificate. These reforms apply from 1 July 2025 and are part of broader changes to South Australia's electoral funding framework.
Who can apply
Advance public funding is available to:
- Candidates
- Groups
- Registered political parties
- Independent members
Important: You agent must apply before polling day. Funds are deposited into your state campaign account, not to individuals.
Payment structure
Advance funding is paid in 2 instalments:
- Payment A: 60% of the notional amount (or set amount if not recontesting)
- Payment B: 20% of the notional amount (or set amount if not recontesting)
How it’s calculated
-
Funding is based on estimated entitlement under section 130P, using either:
- Previous state election results (notional amount), or
- A set amount fixed by legislation
Different formulas apply for House of Assembly (HA) and Legislative Council (LC) elections.
Basic formula
Notional amount = (eligible votes from previous election x per-vote amount) – deductible amount (section 130Q)
Advance funding by recipient
| Recipient | Payment A | Payment B |
|
Registered political party (including LC minor party) |
60% notional amount |
20% notional amount |
|
Entitled registered political party (endorses candidates who are not current or former MPs) |
60% notional amount (recontesting) or $2,500 per candidate (2026 indexed, not recontesting) |
20% notional amount (recontesting) or $2,500 per candidate (2026 indexed, not recontesting) |
|
Independent member or group (current or former MPs) |
60% notional amount |
20% notional amount |
|
Entitled candidate or group (not endorsed by a party and not a current/former MP) |
60% notional amount (recontesting) or $2,500 per candidate (2026 indexed, not recontesting) |
20% notional amount (recontesting) or $2,500 per candidate (2026 indexed, not recontesting) |
Note: Candidates who already provided 20 nominators for advance funding don’t need to supply them again.
Lodging a section 130PF certificate
Timing:
- Must be lodged after the capped expenditure period begins.
- Must be lodged before polling day
Once lodged:
- The certificate cannot be withdrawn.
Missed deadline:
- No advance funding will be paid
- You may still qualify under section 130Q(3)(b) if a section 130Q certificate is lodged within 14 days after polling day.
Further information:
- See Division 4, Part 13A of the Electoral Act 1985.
How and when payments are made
Two instalments
- Payment A – paid as soon as reasonably practicable after the section 130PF certificate is lodged.
- Payment B – paid as soon as reasonably practicable after the writ is issued*.
* For entitled candidates and groups, Payment B is triggered by the nomination of the candidate(s), not the issue of the writ.
Late lodgement
If the certificate is lodged after the writ but before polling day, Payment A and B are combined into one payment.
Payment method
- Payments are made directly to the state campaign account via electronic funds transfer (EFT).
- Funds are not paid to candidates or members personally.
What public funding can be used for
Public funding reimburses political and electoral expenditure related to running a state election campaign.
Allowable costs include:
- Production, display, and distribution of electoral matter
- Stationery and postage for electoral matter
- Mobile phones used primarily for campaign purposes
- Employing staff during the capped expenditure period
- Office accommodation and associated expenditure (other than the headquarters of a registered political party)
- Advertising (production, distribution, publishing)
Prohibited uses:
- General administration or operational costs unrelated to the campaign.
Repayment of advance funding
You may need to repay advance funding if:
- No candidates are nominated: Full amount must be repaid
- Candidates nominated but not successful:
- HA: Must receive at least 4% of first preference votes
- LC: Must receive at least 2% of first preference votes
- Otherwise, full amount must be repaid
- Overpayment or underpayment:
- Overpayment: Electoral Commissioner will recoup the difference
- Underpayment: Electoral Commissioner will pay the difference
House of Assembly by-election
Advance public funding is available in a House of Assembly by-election, but only under strict conditions.
Eligibility
Only the following participants may receive advance funding:
Lodging a section 130PF certificate
To receive advance funding, a section 130PF certificate must be lodged:
- After the candidate’s nomination has been received
- Before polling day
- Once lodged, the certificate cannot be withdrawn
If an agent misses the deadline to lodge a section 130PF certificate, they may still be eligible for funding if a section 130Q certificate is lodged within 14 days after polling day.
Period: From the day the vacancy is announced until 30 days after polling day.