POLICE

The 2025-26 Budget makes a significant investment to support our police force to better protect and serve the community, including funding additional officers, improving the amenity of police facilities, and modernising their equipment. By 2030-31, SA Police will grow by 326 sworn officers, to achieve a total sworn police force of 5000. Other initiatives include:

• $172 million over six years for additional sworn police officers.
• $6.8 million over four years to replace the current pistol used by police officers.
• $31.1 million over four years to undertake additional sustainment works to ensure SA Police have the facilities and equipment they need.
• $29.6 million over three years for the expansion of the successful Police Security Officers model into regional areas.

ROAD SAFETY

A total of $46.8 million will be spent over four years for additional road safety cameras, including mobile phone detection cameras, red light speed cameras and a point-to-point camera at high-risk locations. Other road safety projects include:

• $20 million over two years to deliver additional road safety maintenance works for regional and metropolitan roads.
• $17.8 million over four years for an additional 33 sworn police officers to undertake motorcycle policing duties.
• $7.5 million over three years towards regional road safety infrastructure upgrades, including audio tactile line marking, safety barriers and rural junction activated warning system signage.

COURTS AND JUSTICE

Twenty million dollars will be spent over four years to undertake critical works and upgrades on essential court infrastructure, and plant and equipment. Other funding includes:

• $5.5 million over four years to address the increased complexity of forensic testing and interpretation, and increased demand for some forensic services.
• $4.4 million over five years for the Crown Solicitor’s Office to support its work associated with child protection matters.

ROADS

A total of $656.3 million has been allocated for the High Productivity Vehicle Network – Stage 1 to deliver upgrades between the Swanport Bridge on the Princes Highway and Truro on the Sturt Highway. Funded in partnership with the Commonwealth Government on an 80:20 basis, the state will contribute $125 million towards this project. Other road funding includes:

• $250 million over five years will be used to remove the Curtis Road level crossing in Munno Para.
• $80 million over five years to deliver critical safety improvement works along Main South Road between Myponga and Yankalilla.

HOUSING

More than $550 million will be used to directly support the construction of almost 3000 homes, including:

• $270.1 million over nine years to deliver the Playford Alive East project, which will provide more than 1300 new residential allotments.
• $104.7 million over six years to deliver the Southwark Master Plan project, which will provide up to 1300 dwellings.

COST OF LIVING

More than $20 million will be spent over four years to reduce the price of a metroCARD student 28-day pass to $10 in 2025-26 (currently $28.60). This will save families up to $242 per year per student. Other cost of living Budget measures include $96 million over four years to continue the $200 reduction to the materials and services charge applied per student by government schools.

HEALTH

The government continues to make significant investments in South Australia’s health system with $1.9 billion over five years to meet growing demand for services, improve our facilities and roll out new models of care and support for the community. This includes:

• $1.7 billion over five years to address the increasing levels of demand experienced across our public health system, and the higher cost of service delivery.
• $45 million over three years to support the delivery of the new Mount Barker Hospital.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Seventy million has been allocated to a Birth to Year 6 school in Adelaide’s north, with places for 460 students. Other projects include:

• $40 million over four years to improve the government school and preschool infrastructure.
• An estimated $50 million over four years to give schools greater autonomy to respond to students with disability, and to establish new specialised education options in schools.
• $340 million towards the new $1.25 billion Better and Fairer Schools Agreement over 10 years.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

This year marked the formal establishment of the Office for Early Childhood Development and a record $1.9 billion investment to 2032 to deliver universal 3-year-old preschool and broader early years reform. More funding in this field includes:

• $178 million to support infrastructure projects that will increase enrolment capacity. The next round of the scheme is now open for loans of up to $10 million.
• $27.7 million over four years to accelerate the roll out of 3-year-old preschool in a long day care setting.

SOVEREIGN STEEL PACKAGE

The state government is partnering with the Commonwealth Government to secure the long-term future of the Whyalla steelworks. It is contributing $650 million towards the $2.4 billion support package, with $384 million to go towards stabilising the steelworks. Additionally, a total of $99.2 million will go to the Whyalla Emergency Response Package to provide immediate on the ground support for the Whyalla community.

OTHER BUDGET INITIATIVES

• A $103 million expansion of the Digital Investment Fund.
• $20 million over two years for Recycling Plastics Australia to expand its operations and upgrade its facility.
• $85.1 million over four years to support children and young people in care.
• $13 million to deliver on the government’s arts and cultural policy ‘A Place to Create’.
• $5.9 million over four years to improve training for Country Fire Service volunteers responding to structural fires.
• $45 million in 2025-26 to continue emergency fruit fly response activities following further outbreaks, assisting in protecting South Australia’s pest free status and providing market access continuity for the state’s horticulture products.
• $55.4 million over five years for drought-affected farmers.

For a full list of spending in the 2025-26 State Budget click here.