Reducing the cost of living has emerged as the key priority in the 2026-27 State Budget, with the government delivering more than $500 million in new initiatives to ease financial burdens for all South Australians.
The budget delivers on a $174 million commitment over four years to provide fee-free public school from Reception to Graduation – starting from next year – a move set to save families an average of more than $8000 per child throughout their schooling.
And it contains $77 million over five years to provide full stamp duty relief for seniors aged 60 and over who downsize to a new home valued up to $2 million, a move likely to free up more family homes for younger buyers.
MORE THAN $500 MILLION IN COST OF LIVING RELIEF
Families are big winners in this year’s budget, with the government’s free public education policy – announced earlier in the year – expected to save families thousands while free camps for Year 7 students in public schools and the expansion of sports vouchers from 16 to 18-year olds will also see savings for parents.
There was stamp duty relief for downsizers which will not only provide relief for older South Australians but also free up larger homes for growing families.
SA’s first IVF rebate scheme, making treatment more affordable for thousands of families, has also been included in the budget, along with the expansion of the Seniors Card scheme to all South Australians aged 60 and over.
$2.5 BILLION HOUSING PACKAGE
There was good news, too, for those looking to enter the property market, with a total of 2000 new Rent to Own homes set to come onto the market while more strategic land for housing development will be secured to fast-track housing supply.
Apartment developments in the Adelaide CBD will be fast-tracked, 400 homes exclusively for first home buyers will be accelerated and 
300 additional vacant South Australian Housing Trust homes will be upgraded and 200 new places for tenants with complex needs will be built.
EDUCATION AND SKILLS
A total of $210 million over the next six years will support redevelopment and upgrades across 37 public schools including $87 million for the redevelopment of Mount Barker High and $63 million to upgrade sites, classrooms and facilities across 11 schools and $50 million dollars will also be put towards new gyms or halls at six schools across South Australia.
The Budget also funds $26.8 million over five years to build South Australia’s AUKUS skills workforce.
BIG INVESTMENTS IN HEALTH
The budget responds to aged care pressures through a $250 million no-interest loan scheme to help incentivise construction of up to 650 new aged care beds.
Other key measures in the budget include $28 million over four years to deliver a specialised mental health assessment unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital adjacent to the Emergency Department and $22 million to deliver a new Emergency Department for Clare Hospital, providing Mid North communities with around-the-clock care in a dedicated modern facility.
FUNDING FOR LAW AND ORDER
More than $11 million will be invested in establishing a dedicated drone operations capability that will provide SAPOL with the ability to undertake unmanned aerial surveillance and policing functions, while $5 million over two years will be used to undertake the necessary planning work for two new police stations at Mount Barker and Murray Bridge.
BUILDING THE STATE THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURE
With work progressing on two major infrastructure projects – delivering a non-stop South Road and a new Women’s and Children’s Hospital – the budget also provides $90 million over five years in partnership with the Commonwealth Government towards safety upgrade works including replacement of retaining walls and stabilisation of slopes on the South Eastern Freeway.
A total $80 million over five years to upgrade the Adelaide and Hawthorn Road, Mount Barker intersection including improved signalling and widening of the intersection has been earmarked, and $90 million over four years for safety upgrades along the Horrocks Highway allocated, with a contribution from the Commonwealth Government to be sought.
MORE THAN $650 MILLION TO SUPPORT OUR ECONOMY
On a statewide scale, funding has been earmarked to support the sale of the Whyalla steelworks, while drought affected grain and livestock farmers will be able to apply for low-interest loans of up to $250,000.
A new $50 million Research and Development Productivity Fund to drive high impact research has been announced, while the delivery of the planning and design for transport infrastructure solutions to accommodate the expected increase in workforce at the Osborne Naval Defence Precinct has been made a priority.
For further information, visit State Budget 2026-27 (external site) (external site).
