House of Assembly candidates

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Overview

This page explains how to nominate as a candidate for the House of Assembly. It outlines eligibility requirements, nomination methods, forms, deposits, and lodgement processes for both independent candidates and candidates endorsed by registered political parties.

All nomination requirements are set under the Electoral Act 1985 (the Act).

Candidate qualifications

To qualify as a candidate, you must:

  • be enrolled to vote in South Australia.
  • not be required to immediately vacate your seat under the Constitution Act 1934 (for example, due to holding certain offices).
  • not nominate for more than one election held on the same day.

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Ways to nominate

Candidates may nominate in one of 2 ways:

Independent candidate

You lodge your own nomination and must meet all requirements that apply to individual candidates, including providing nominators.

Party-endorsed candidate

Your nomination is made by your political party's registered officer on your behalf.

Independent candidates

1. Eligibility

To nominate as an independent candidate, you must be supported by:

  • at least 20 eligible electors enrolled in the district you are contesting.

2. Nomination deposit

A $1,000 deposit must accompany your nomination. Accepted payment methods:

  • banker’s cheque (personal cheques cannot be accepted)
  • electronic funds transfer (EFT) to the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA)

If paying by EFT, a printed receipt showing successful payment must be lodged with your nomination. The deposit must be received before nominations close.

3. What you must lodge

You must lodge the following documents with the returning officer before nominations close:

  • RO 44 – Completed nomination form
  • RO 44A – List of at least 20 nominators, including signatures and enrolment details
  • $1,000 deposit (banker’s cheque or EFT receipt)

4. Lodgement

All documents and the deposit must be lodged with the returning officer for the district you are contesting.

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Party-endorsed candidates

1. Nomination process

Party-endorsed candidates must:
  • complete the appropriate party-endorsed nomination form (RO 40A or RO 40B, depending on the party's process)
  • return the completed form to their party’s registered officer
The registered officer lodges all endorsed nominations directly with ECSA.

2. Responsibilities of registered officers

Registered officers must:

  • lodge all nomination forms (RO 40A / RO 40B)
  • submit a $1,000 deposit per candidate (banker’s cheque or EFT)
  • lodge multiple nominations on a single nomination paper if submitted at least 48 hours before the hour of nomination

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Additional nomination rules

Withdrawing a nomination

A candidate may withdraw their nomination by lodging written notice with the returning officer before the hour of nomination.

If the nomination is withdrawn:

  • the nomination is revoked, and
  • the deposit is refunded.

Deposit refunds

The $1,000 deposit is refunded if:

  • the candidate is elected, or
  • the candidate receives more than 4% of first‑preference votes in the district

If neither applies, the deposit is forfeited.
If a candidate dies before polling day, the deposit is returned to their personal representative.

Declaration of nominations

At the hour of nomination, the returning officer will:

  • publicly produce all nomination papers received, and
  • declare the names and addresses of all duly nominated candidates
If a candidate’s address is suppressed, only their district of residence is declared.

Candidate name rules

Names printed on ballot papers must not be misleading. A nomination may be rejected if the candidate’s name is:

  • obscene
  • frivolous, or
  • assumed for an ulterior purpose.

If practicable, the candidate will be notified and may lodge a fresh nomination before the hour of nomination.

If a candidate dies

If a candidate dies after nominations are declared and before polling day, the election for that district is taken to have failed and must be re‑run.
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