2026 State Election Platform: Priorities for South Australia’s Volunteering Sector
As we look toward the 2026 State Election, Volunteering SA&NT is proud to present our 2026 State Election Platform, shaped through extensive consultation with volunteer managers and volunteer-involving organisations across South Australia.
This platform reflects the voices of the sector. Through a comprehensive state-wide survey and stakeholder engagement, we gathered insights into the experiences, challenges and priorities of those who lead and support volunteering every day. Their contributions have helped identify the key actions needed to strengthen and sustain volunteering into the future.
Our platform sets out practical, forward-looking recommendations to boost volunteer participation, enhance support for volunteer managers and ensure volunteering remains a vital part of South Australian community life. Together, these priorities outline a path toward a stronger, more resilient volunteering ecosystem that benefits all South Australians.
Key dates
21 February | Writ issued |
23 February | Nominations open |
27 February | Close of roll |
2 March 3pm | House of Assembly nominations declared |
2 March 5pm | Legislative Council nominations declared |
10 March | Remote polling starts |
13 March | Out of state postal voting applications close |
14 March | Early voting opens |
17 March | Inside state postal voting applications close |
21 March | Polling day |
Our priorities for the 2026 State Election
Through consultation with the sector, Volunteering SA&NT has identified the following priority actions to support, grow and celebrate volunteering in South Australia.
These recommendations reflect both immediate pressures and long-term opportunities for strengthening volunteering statewide.
What we’re asking for
Priority area
Strengthen youth volunteer engagement
- Fund the expansion of the SVA Service Award Pilot in secondary schools
Recognise, support and value volunteers
- Reinvest in the biennial SA State of Volunteering Report
- Reinvest in the annual SA Volunteer Awards
- Commit to funding the Volunteering Strategy for South Australia Action Plan
- Fund research into extending the role of the Public Sector Volunteering Ombudsman
Invest in reducing the cost of Volunteering for VIOs and volunteers
- Fund a joint project to develop a volunteer program costing tool
- Ease cost-of-living pressures on volunteers
Streamline compliance and screening
- Streamline compliance for volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations
Address time pressures and prevent volunteer and Volunteer Manager burnout
- Fund a joint project to promote the value of volunteer management
Click here to read Volunteering SA&NT’s full ‘Priorities for the SA Volunteering Sector’ election platform.
Volunteer/Volunteer-Involving Organisation related policy tracking
In the lead‑up to the 2026 South Australian election, political parties have begun outlining a wide range of policy commitments across key areas such as cost of living, health and wellbeing, infrastructure, and public services. While most of these pre‑election announcements do not specifically address the needs of volunteers or volunteer‑involving organisations outlined in our 2026 Election Platform, many of these policies may have indirect implications for the broader volunteering ecosystem.
More Students Volunteering
As part of a broader effort to reduce young people’s screen time and building on VSA&NT’s successful pilot of the SVA Service Award in 13 schools, Labor has committed to expanding the Student Volunteer Award program statewide. Backed by a $1 million grant over four years, the program will allow all secondary students to track their volunteering, build new skills, earn SACE credits, and connect with local volunteering opportunities from 2027.
Click here for more information
Expanding Eligibility for the Seniors Card
Labor has committed $8 million over four years to expand Seniors Card eligibility to all South Australians aged 60 and over, regardless of their working hours. This change is expected to support approximately 80,000 additional older South Australians with cost‑of‑living relief.
Click here for more information
$6 Million to Combat Homelessness
Labor has committed an additional $6 million over four years to support homelessness services in Adelaide’s CBD, shared between Catherine House, Hutt Street Centre, and St Vincent de Paul. This funding will help these organisations – supported by many dedicated volunteers – continue their specialist work connecting with people experiencing homelessness and supporting them toward a more stable future.
Click here for more information
New Warehouse for Backpacks 4 SA Kids
Labor has committed to a brand-new headquarters for charity Backpacks 4 SA Kids in Adelaide’s northern suburbs, that will include a volunteer & community hub for training, engagement, and connection.
Click here for more information
Call to exempt volunteers from the Emergency Services Levy
The Fair Go Party has announced a policy that will exempt emergency services volunteers from paying the Emergency Services Levy. The policy is aimed at boosting flagging volunteer numbers and easing the burden on paid emergency service workers.
Click here for more information
Cost of Living Measures
One Nation has committed to address cost of living by implementing a suite of measures such as electricity bill reductions, fuel price relief, tax relief for households and retirees, and healthcare cost reductions.
Click here for more information
Bring down energy prices
SA‑BEST is calling for a Royal Commission to provide an independent, transparent investigation into why prices are so high and whether returning parts of the energy system to public ownership would deliver more stable, affordable power.
Click here for more information
Honouring our fallen World War 1 Diggers
Liberal SA has committed $225,000 over three years to support the volunteer‑run Headstone Project, which erects headstones to honour the unmarked graves of WWI veterans.
Click here for more information
Long-term funding supporting the expansion of In-Home Hospice Care services in Mount Gambier
Long-term funding has been announced to support the expansion of In-Home Hospice Care services (that is delivered by paid staff and volunteers), in Mount Gambier allowing individuals to spend their final days with dignity, surrounded by family and friends.
Click here for more information
50 cent Fares for regular Adelaide Metro trips
Liberal SA has committed to reducing regular Adelaide Metro fares to 50 cents to provide cost-of-living relief to South Australians.
Greens push to waive emergency services levy for volunteers
The Greens have proposed waiving the Emergency Services Levy for about 15,000 volunteers from the CFS, SES and Volunteer Marine Rescue, a change estimated to cost up to $1.9 million a year. The proposal aims to recognise the vital contribution of emergency service volunteers, who play a key role in protecting communities during fires, floods and other emergencies. .
Click here for more information
Cheap and accessible public transport
The Greens have committed to reduce all public transport fares to 50 cents, provide free travel for school students, and continue free fares for seniors and healthcare workers. Their plan also includes increasing the capacity of trains and buses, building new public transport infrastructure such as a train line to the Adelaide Hills, and advancing the AdeLink project to expand tram services across the state.
Click here for more information
A fair go for renters
The Greens have committed to introduce long-term rent controls, legislate minimum standards of energy efficiency for rental properties, ban rent bidding, and create a Commissioner to advocate for tenants.
Cost of living relief and fairness
Tammy Franks has committed to ease the cost of living through action on housing affordability and stability, energy price relief, everyday costs & essential services – including reducing public transport fares to 50 cents – wages and economic security, and targeted relief through concessions & rebates.
Click here for more information
Ensure fair rents and stronger renter protections
Tammy Franks has committed to ensuring fair rents and stronger protections for renters by limiting excessive rent increases, improving price stability, and strengthening safeguards against unfair evictions. Tammy will lift minimum rental standards, support longer‑term leases and security of tenure, and crack down on exploitative or unfair practices.
Click here for more information
Public transport
Tammy Franks has committed to make public transport affordable and accessible by providing free travel for full‑time students, Health Care Card holders and pensioners, 50‑cent fares for all other passengers, and fully integrated fares across buses, trains and trams. Tammy has also committed to fight for a modern, accessible, low‑emissions transport system with better walking and cycling links, expanded rail and tram networks, a stronger bus system, safer and inclusive station design, and freight moved off suburban roads.
Volunteering SA&NT invited major political parties to outline how they would address these priorities.
This is a live election platform. Responses received are published below in full, and as additional responses are received, they will be uploaded to this page, please check back for updates.
Keep track of all policy announcements from major parties in the lead up to the election
Thank you to everyone who took part in our survey and shared their experiences and insights.
The response from volunteer managers and organisations across South Australia’s volunteering ecosystem was incredible. Your contributions have helped highlight the challenges and opportunities facing the sector as we prepare for the 2026 State Election.
We’re grateful for your engagement and commitment to shaping the future of volunteering in South Australia. Together, your voices will ensure that the issues facing volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations are heard by policymakers, candidates, and the community.
Advocacy Toolkit
The lead up to the 2026 South Australian State Election is a great time to raise issues affecting the volunteering sector with your members, communities and local members/candidates. This toolkit includes resources for Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs) to engage with candidates, host forums, write letters, and raise awareness in their communities.
Take Action
Download the toolkit to confidently engage your local candidates, start meaningful conversations, and make your voice heard this election