South Australian Budget 2026-27: Winners and Losers Revealed
Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis unveils budget focused on cost reduction and business stability, with state debt projected to rise.
South Australian Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis has unveiled the 2026–27 state budget.
Mr Koutsantonis says the budget focuses on reducing costs for families and providing stability for business.
With the state election held less than three months ago, there are few surprises and a lot of cash for promises, as state debt is projected to rise to more than $53 billion by 2029-30.
Here are the winners and losers.
Neutral: Infrastructure
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Continued funding of the Torrens to Darlington project, including $2.3 billion in 2026-27.
No extra money for the Greater Adelaide Bypass Project, with the state government only committing to funding 20 per cent of the project, rather than the 40 per cent the federal government is seeking.
No new funding for extensions of train or tram lines.
$90 million for a safety upgrade to the South Eastern Freeway.
$90 million for works on the Horrocks Highway in the Mid North.
$80 million for the Adelaide and Hawthorn roads intersection in Mount Barker.
$29.7 million for local community infrastructure projects.
$16 million for an upgraded roundabout and a new roundabout on Happy Valley Drive, in Adelaide's south.
$15 million for a business case, planning and design for transport infrastructure on the Lefevre Peninsula.
$7 million for a new park and ride car park at the Torrens Park railway station.
Winner: Housing
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$1.3 billion for 2,000 rent-to-own homes, including on surplus Defence Force land.
$500 million for a Housing Fast-Track Fund and the same for an Apartment Fast-Track Fund.
$140 million to renovate 300 vacant Housing Trust homes.
Concessions worth $77 million over the next five years to waive stamp duty for downsizers.
$50 million to enable infrastructure to accelerate construction of 400 houses for first home-buyers in Munno Para.
$29.5 million for a Housing Skills Package for scholarships, apprenticeships and industry partnerships.
$7 million over four years to establish a Portable Rental Bonds Scheme.
Victims of domestic, family and sexual violence will be eligible for 100 per cent stamp duty relief and the First Home Owner Grant, even if they had purchased a home previously, under a new scheme worth $4 million.
No change: Health
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Continued funding for the new Women's and Children's Hospital, including $508 million in 2026-27.
$250 million for a no-interest loan scheme to help deliver up to 650 new aged care beds.
$28 million for a specialised mental health assessment unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
$22 million for a new emergency department at the Clare Hospital, including $12 million beyond the forward estimates.
$18.5 million over four years for an IVF rebate scheme.
$16 million over four years to expand the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme for regional patients.
$15 million for infrastructure upgrades at the Murray Bridge Soldiers' Memorial Hospital.
$13.9 million for new and expanded ambulance services in Ceduna, Yorketown, Millicent and Barmera.
$13.2 million to expand the 24-hour pharmacies initiative in the west and north-east of Adelaide, as well as at Mount Barker.
$13 million for a medical school training centre in Mount Gambier.
Winner: Education
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$210 million over six years for redevelopment and upgrades of public schools, including $87 million for a redevelopment of Mount Barker High School.
$150 million for three new technical colleges at Murray Bridge, Marden and Gawler.
50 South Australian long day-care centres will provide preschool for three-year-olds from next month, using funding announced in 2024 but brought forward in the budget. An extra 140 centres will offer the service from next January.
$76 million over four years for one free school camp for all year 7 students, one term of before or after-school activities, come-and-try sessions for sport, dance and music, and an expanded Sports Voucher Plus scheme.
$65 million over six years for student support programs.
$45.5 million over four years to expand Out of Hours School Care services at 68 government primary schools.
$26.8 million over five years to build AUKUS skills.
$25.5 million to expand TAFE in Mount Barker.
Loser: State finances
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The state's debt is set to grow from $34.7 billion in 2025-26 to $53.7 billion by 2029-30.
A budget surplus of $223 million in 2026-27.
Revenue from fines and penalties to grow from $177 million in 2025-26 to $315 million in 2029-30.
$10.7 million in extra housing and development lodgement fees over four years.
Loser: Public service
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The government will only replace one in two employees who leave non-frontline positions which will save the budget $120 million a year. The measure will result in 1,000 fewer full-time equivalent back office jobs in the public service that would otherwise be the case in the next 12 months.
Winner: Cost-of-living relief
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$174 million over four years to abolish fees at public schools.
$15 million over two years for the rollout of community batteries.
$11.7 million for expanding Adelaide Metro services to Murray Bridge and providing more buses for the city.
Adelaide Metro fare increase delayed until October 1, costing $1 million.
The Seniors Card will become available to an additional 80,000 older South Australians from July 1, when it will become available to all residents aged 60 and over, regardless of how many hours they work. It will also be available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over, costing $8.4 million over four years.
Neutral: Law and order
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$16.5 million for additional capacity at the Mount Gambier Prison.
$11.3 million over four years for drones for SA Police.
$4.3 million extra for the Office of the Inspector which oversees the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Office for Public Integrity and the Ombudsman.
$5 million for new police stations at Murray Bridge and Mount Barker.
No extra funding for improvements to the Supreme Court, Sir Samuel Way building or the Adelaide Youth Court, as requested by the Law Society of South Australia.
$700,000 in revenue from new court mediation fees in the Supreme Court and District over four years.
Winner: Sport
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$100 million for a new state gymnastics centre.
Winner: Business
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$319 million for support for the Whyalla steelworks.
$200 million for a drought loan scheme.
$128.7 million saving by cutting the Business Growth Fund. All existing commitments will be met.
$50 million for a Research and Development Productivity Fund.
$4.9 million for site management at the Leigh Creek coalfield.
Neutral: Arts
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The budget contains no funding for the Tarrkarri Aboriginal Art and Cultures Centre.
$49.3 million for a new arts and media hub for the ABC and state arts agencies on Franklin Street, but only in 2029-30.
Winner: First Nations South Australians
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$8.5 million for a commission to undertake truth-telling and progress treaty activities.
Credits:
Illustration: Emma Machan
