South Australia

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In this snapshot

South Australia will receive around $9 billion in GST in 2025–26, $279 million more than in 2024‑25. The change reflects South Australia’s assessed needs for GST, changes in population and its share of the growth in the GST pool. It also reflects the 2018 GST distribution legislation.

GST distribution in 2025-26

GST distribution in 2025-26

SA GST distribution compared to national average 2025-26

How South Australia compares with other states and territories

How South Australia compares with other states and territories

South Australia’s capacity to raise revenue from its own taxes is lower than the national average. 

South Australia can raise $290 per person from mining royalties, which is below the national average of $1,305 per person.

Mining revenue for GST distribution

South Australia can raise $886 per person from taxes on property sales, which is below the national average of $1,322 per person.

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The characteristics of the people living in South Australia mean that the cost of providing government services is similar to the national average.

Service use and costs are higher for those living with economic disadvantage. South Australia’s population is more disadvantaged than the national average.

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The Commission estimates South Australia’s public sector wage costs pressures to be lower than the national average, making it less expensive to deliver services than in other states.

Wages in relation to GST distribution

Overall, the below-average revenue raising capacity and the average cost of providing services, means that South Australia receives a per person GST distribution above the national average.

Key factors that changed South Australia’s GST needs since 2024–25

Key factors that changed South Australia’s GST needs since 2024–25

+$197 million

A large increase in coal prices increased coal royalties and the revenue raising capacities of the main coal producing states. This reduced South Australia’s relative revenue raising capacity, increasing its GST needs.

Mining revenue for GST distribution

-$176 million 

An assessment of COVID-19 business support expenses was introduced in the 2025 Review. South Australia’s below-average COVID-19 business support expenses decreased its GST needs.

Services to industry

+$129 million

Below-average growth in South Australia’s taxable wages and salaries per person decreased South Australia’s relative revenue raising capacity for payroll taxes, increasing its GST needs.

Payroll tax in relation to GST distribution

+$126 million

In the 2025 Review there were changes to the measure of population-weighted density. This change increased the relative growth of the measured density in Adelaide, increasing South Australia’s need for urban transport investment and increasing its GST needs.

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+$118 million

Changes to the wages model in the 2025 Review produced higher estimates for wage costs in South Australia than the previous approach, increasing its GST needs. 

Wages in relation to GST distribution

 

-$114 million

Upward revisions to natural disaster expenses in other states reduced South Australia’s GST needs.

Natural disaster relief
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