The state government has handed down its 2025-26 budget. But what does it mean for young South Aussies? We take a look.
You may have heard the words ‘State Budget’ mentioned in the media these past few days. But what does it actually mean, and why should you even care?
The State Budget is basically a giant blueprint for how the government will spend our money – everything from schools and hospitals, to roads, law and order, arts festivals and sporting events.
It helps us to understand the government’s priorities and how they’re investing to shape our state’s future.
But what’s in it that matters to you? Let’s take a look at how the budget affects young South Australians.
Housing help
Looking to buy your first house? The state government has allocated $552.4 million to support the construction of almost 3000 new homes and help people find secure housing.
The budget includes:
· $270 million to create more than 1300 new allotments at Playford Alive East
· $104.7 million for 1300 new dwellings in Southwark Grounds (the old West End Brewery site)
· $30.5 million for at least 2000 homes at Onkaparinga Heights
There’s also support for a Rent-to-Buy Affordable Housing Initiative. Under the scheme, homes will be rented out to eligible renters for up to three years at 75 per cent of the market rent, before giving tenants the first right to purchase the home at a fixed price.
Cheaper public transport
Catch the bus, train or tram often? Good news, there will be some decent savings for you.
The government has committed $20.7 million over four years to reduce the metroCARD student 28-day pass to just $10 a month – the equivalent of 25c per trip. That’s a saving of $18.60!
Keeping our state safe
This budget provides the biggest boost to police funding in the state’s history.
What does that look like? It looks like $172 million over six years to grow the number of sworn officers to 5000 by 2030-31.
It looks like $29.6 million for 98 extra Police Security Officers by 2028-29.
And it looks like $6.8 million over four years for new pistols, and $31.1 million over four years for better facilities to ensure our police force is well resourced to combat crime.
There’s also an extra $21 million that will be invested in emergency services, such as the Country Fire Service and State Emergency Service.
Three-year-old preschool here faster
Got little ones or thinking about starting a family? Then this one is for you.
The government will spend an extra $27.7 million over four years fast-tracking 3-year-old preschool at 200 long day care sites and 45 state government-run sites across SA.
That means an extra 2000 places from January 2026, bringing forward the roll out by 12 months. More places = more support for you, and your child.
Helping our health system
Health is something that affects us all, and the government will be spending a total of $1.9 billion in this space over five years.
One sector that’s particularly important for young South Australians is support for mental health. About $117 million over five years has been allocated for this, including $13.9 million to expand the Mental Health Co-Responder Program so it covers the whole of metro Adelaide. This program means that a health clinician and a police officer are sent out together to respond to Triple Zero calls relating to mental health.
There’s also $77 million over five years – provided by the federal government – to establish a statewide cancer network to maximise prevention, early detection and delivery of care.
Plus $45 million over three years for the new Mount Barker Hospital – delivering 102 beds including mental health, rehab and maternity care.
Roads, roads and more roads
Wish freight trucks didn’t have to drive through Adelaide? Well, the state government has set aside $125 million (to go with the federal government’s $531 million) to upgrade the roads between Swanport Bridge on the Princes Highway and Truro on the Sturt Highway – enabling many of those big trucks to then bypass our metro streets.
There’s also $125 million set aside to remove the level crossing at Curtis Rd in Munno Para, and $40 million for the upgrade of Main South Rd between Myponga and Yankalilla.
Funding your kids’ education
Got school-age kids? The state government has budgeted $70 million to build a new preschool and primary school in Adelaide’s northern suburbs to help meet demand. It will have room for 400 students from Reception to Year 6, along with 60 preschool children.
There’s also $40 million over four years set aside for upgrades to other government schools.
Are you a parent feeling the cost-of-living crunch? The government has set aside $96 million to continue its $200 per student government school material and services charge reduction for the next four years, helping 120,000 students (and their families).
Supporting jobs – now and in the future
Want to make your business more eco-friendly? There’s $20 million in this budget to help small and medium businesses – as well as not-for-profit organisations – invest in energy efficient equipment or improvements to reduce and manage energy use and costs.
Looking for funding for your start-up? There’s $50 million set aside to create a new South Australian Early-Stage Venture Capital Fund.
Live in SA’s regions? There are plenty of job-friendly initiatives including:
· $650 million towards the total $2.4 billion package to support Whyalla, investing in the steelworks’ future and continuing operations while it’s under administration
· $55 million for drought-affected farmers
· $2 million in rural business support grants
Want to take a closer look? For more information, and to view the State Budget papers, click here.
