SA’s $784m Federal Budget GST Windfall Should Build Public Housing

The South Australian government should invest a substantial part of its $784 million GST windfall from the federal budget on more public housing, according to the South Australian Council of Social Service.

Tuesday’s federal budget revealed South Australia would receive an additional $784m over four years from the GST pool (see table below), even after accounting for the most recent revisions made by the SA Government in its mid-year budget review in December 2022.

Compared to what was expected in the last state budget, the windfall is much greater – a massive $2.8 billion over four years.

According to SACOSS CEO Ross Womersley, the extra funding creates the perfect opportunity for the SA Government to turbo-charge investment in public housing and apply real downward pressure on rental prices.

“The waiting list for public housing in South Australia currently stands at around 15,000 applicants – while the number of public houses has steadily declined over the last two decades,” Mr Womersley says.

“The SA Government has recently announced new public housing initiatives and promised to turn around the decline, but the reality is that we need to build over 300 public houses a year just to keep up with population growth. And in real terms, we actually need around 3,600 new public housing dwellings over the next four years to cover both population growth and make up for the housing lost.”

“Public housing investment provides housing for those who are excluded from the housing market,puts downward pressure on rents across the market, and builds the public wealth. That makes it a great investment when additional money like this becomes available.

“Investing a substantial portion of this $784 million windfall in public housing will deliver much-needed support for the thousands of South Australians who need it, and ongoing assets vital for the State’s long-term future.”

Table: SA GST revenue from 2022-23 to 2025-2026

Year

2022-23 State Budget
$m

Mid-Year Budget Review
$m

2023-24 Federal Budget
$m

Diff. from last State Budget
$m

Diff from Mid-Year Budget Review
$m

2022-23

7378.2

7797

7702

323.8

-95

2023-24

8026.9

8596

8788

761.1

192

2024-25

8298.6

8786

9085

786.4

299

2025-26

8578.9

9185

9573

994.1

388

 

 

 

Totals

2865.4

784

Scroll to Top

MICHELE WACHLA

Michele is an accomplished social services professional with a dual background in Social Work and Business, bringing over 18 years of experience to her work. She has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within Regional, Rural, and Remote (RRR) environments, particularly in South Australia. Michele is a recognised leader, known for her expertise in designing and implementing place-based initiatives that address the complexities of RRR communities. Her work is underpinned by strategic planning, effective resourcing, and a strong focus on policy review and advocacy to ensure that services remain relevant, equitable, and sustainable. Michele’s commitment to community-centred approaches drives meaningful outcomes, nurturing resilience, and growth across regional South Australia.

KHATIJA THOMAS

DAVE ADAMSON

Dave moved to Australia following a 30-year academic career in the UK. He has since worked in the Community Housing sector and authored the 2016 Towards a National Housing Strategy, and helped to establish the Everybody’s Home campaign. He also researches the interface between poverty and climate change and actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He has worked with government at all levels and has experience of policy development and evaluation. He is co-author of Sustainable Places: Addressing Social Inequality and Environmental Crisis (2022, Routledge). In his spare time he plays and builds guitars.

ROHAN FEEGRADE

Rohan is an experienced and forward-thinking CEO, senior executive and board director with demonstrated expertise across the not-for-profit, private and government sectors. Currently CEO of Lutheran Care, he has proven record for creating substantial organisational, stakeholder and client value, and has extensive experience in strategically positioning organisations for transformational change and growth within the health, disability, education and community service sectors. Rohan is a socially responsible professional, genuinely passionate about creating opportunities for people who live with disadvantage and disability, always acting ethically to serve those he works with and for.

JANE MUSSARED

Jane has worked in for purpose and government health and human service settings throughout her career. In June 2024 she returned to SA and joined the Maggie Beer Foundation as CEO following 20 months based in Canberra as an Advisor to the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care. Previously she was Chief Executive of COTA SA and before that an executive of ACH Group. Jane served on a range of boards and committees prior to moving to Canberra, including the SACOSS Policy Council until 2022, as chair of the South Australian Circus Centre and as a non-Executive Director with the Maggie Beer Foundation.

NANCY PENNA

Nancy has than 30 years of experience in South Australian community services, and a a unique understanding of the political and social landscape and the issues and opportunities facing South Australia. Currently responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of AnglicareSA’s community services portfolio, she has previously held executive roles in government within child protection and disability, with her executive experience underpinned by her earlier career as a social worker in child protection and youth justice. She is also Chair of the Child and Family Focus South Australia (CAFFSA) Board and most recently on the Housing Security for Older Women Taskforce.

NICOLE CHAPLIN

Nicole is a dedicated and experienced youth support professional, specialising in solutions for disadvantaged young people in South Australia. As CEO of St John’s Youth Services, she oversees innovative programs like youth110 and Foyer Port Adelaide. With over thirty years in the community sector, Nicole has built extensive networks and her expertise spans governance, service delivery, policy development, and partnerships. Recognised with the 2018 AHI Inspirational Leader Award, Nicole is an active participant in housing and homelessness networks. She holds leadership roles in various organisations, including Anglicare Australia’s National Reconciliation Network.

EMMA CROSBY

Emma is a chartered Accountant with more than 15 years experience as a board member, finance and business professional, strategic advisor and company secretary. She has strong values and a passion for enabling and leading organisations to meet its operational and strategic direction through long-term financial sustainability, operational efficiency, innovation, leadership, transformation and partnerships. As Treasurer and Board member at SACOSS, she is committed to successfully leading and making a purposeful impact to the organisation and its stakeholders.

David PANTER

David has worked in health and social care for almost 45 years, over half of which has been as a Chief Executive. In the UK he initially worked in the NHS and more latterly in local government, where he was Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council. In 2004 David was recruited to the South Australian public health system for over 10 years leading reforms including the development of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. From 2015-2022 David was the Chief Executive of not-for-profit aged care provider ECH. At the end of January 2022 David became the Chief Executive at Minda, SA’s largest provider of services to people living with an intellectual disability.

Skip to content