Reporting required under any other act or regulation

Ageing and Adult Safeguarding Act 1995

Part 2 - Office for Ageing Well

11 - Annual report

1. The Director must, on or before 31 October in each year, report to the Minister on the operations of the Office for Ageing Well during the preceding financial year.
2. The Minister must, within 6 sitting days after receiving a report from the Director, have copies of the report laid before both Houses of Parliament.

The Office for Ageing Well leads South Australia’s efforts to support people to age well, safeguard the rights of older people and adults at risk of abuse, and promote participation, inclusion and wellbeing across the community. Through its diverse programs and services, the office delivers policy development, program delivery, regulatory oversight, stakeholder engagement and advocacy initiatives that contribute to improved outcomes for South Australians.

During 2025–26, this work was undertaken through four key business areas: the Adult Safeguarding Unit; Policy and Projects Team; Seniors Card, Business Services and Engagement; and the Retirement Villages Unit. Together, these teams worked collaboratively to strengthen protections for older people and adults at risk of abuse, support age-friendly communities, deliver benefits to Seniors Card members, engage stakeholders, and implement key government priorities that enable South Australians to live safely, independently and with dignity.

Adult Safeguarding Unit

The Adult Safeguarding Unit is a dedicated statewide service established under the Ageing and Adult Safeguarding Act 1995 to respond to concerns about adults who may be vulnerable to abuse. During 2025–26, the unit continued to play a key role in protecting and promoting the rights of adults who may be vulnerable to abuse by providing information, education, advice and support to individuals, families and service providers, while assessing reports of suspected abuse and coordinating safeguarding responses tailored to each adult’s needs, wishes and circumstances.

The unit received 4,551 contacts in 2025–26, of which 1,128 (24.79 per cent) progressed to formal reports requiring assessment and safeguarding action. The remaining contacts were provided with tailored information, education and advice. Most contacts related to concerns about older people aged 65 years and over, or adults living with disability. Service providers were the largest source of referrals, followed by family members.

The most commonly reported forms of abuse were psychological or emotional abuse, financial abuse, and neglect, with adult children most frequently identified as the alleged perpetrators.

Comprehensive assessments were undertaken by the unit to determine appropriate safeguarding responses, with concerns often resolved through information gathering, collaboration and early intervention without the need for a formal investigation. During 2025–26, 945 reports were finalised following assessment and 77 investigations were completed. Safeguarding outcomes included advocacy, safety planning, coordinated multi-agency responses, referrals to support services and applications to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) for guardianship or administration, where required. In 34 cases, action was authorised without the adult’s consent, primarily because impaired decision-making capacity prevented the adult from providing informed consent.

Policy and Projects Team

The Policy and Projects Team leads strategic policy development, partnerships, grants and research activities that support South Australians to age well and remain active, connected and valued in their communities. During 2025–26, the team played a central role in advancing the Government’s ageing well agenda through the development of long-term policy directions, investment in community initiatives, strategic collaboration with key stakeholders and support for evidence-based research.

A significant achievement during the year was the launch of South Australia’s Plan for Ageing Well 2026-2036 in February 2026. The Plan provides a ten-year framework to guide South Australia’s response to an ageing population and was developed in consultation with older South Australians. It identifies four key priorities: Be safe and well; Have peace of mind; Feel valued and visible; and Participate in society. Work also commenced on the first five-year Action Plan, which is being developed in collaboration with government, business, and community partners to drive implementation of these priorities.

The team continued to foster strategic partnerships that support ageing well and safeguard the rights of older South Australians. Recurrent funding was provided to the Council on the Ageing SA (COTA SA) through the Ageing Well Peak Body Program. Funding was also provided to support the Public Sector @ Every Age project, which promotes age-friendly workplaces across the public sector.

Through the Ageing Well Community and Research Grants Program, the Office for Ageing Well awarded $733,018 in community, local government, and research grants during 2025–26. Funding supported 40 Grants for Seniors projects, four Positive Ageing Fellowship Grants, five Age Friendly SA Grants and several Impact Research Grants delivered by leading South Australian universities and community partners. These investments strengthened opportunities for older South Australians to participate in community life, enhanced age-friendly environments and services, and contributed to the evidence base informing future ageing well policy and practice across the state.

Back to top

Seniors Card, Business Services and Engagement

Seniors Card Program

The Seniors Card program supports the social and economic participation of older South Australians by helping them stay connected to their communities while reducing cost-of-living pressures. With approximately 430,000 members, the program contributes to making South Australia an affordable and age-friendly place to live through concessions, information services, community engagement and business partnerships.

A key benefit of the program is the provision of significant transport cost relief. Seniors Card members receive free travel on Adelaide Metro services all day, every day, as well as a 50 per cent concession on selected regional public transport services. These benefits help older South Australians maintain their independence and access essential services, social activities and community connections.

During 2025–26, the program undertook extensive preparation for upcoming eligibility reforms expected to make an additional 80,000 South Australians eligible for membership. This included system enhancements, operational planning, stakeholder engagement and communication activities to support the successful implementation of the changes and ensure the continued delivery of high-quality services.

The program also strengthened its value and reach through the continued growth of WeekendPlus and its business partnership network. Distributed fortnightly to more than 126,000 subscribers, WeekendPlus has become a trusted public service communication channel, delivering government information, public safety messages, emergency updates, health information and community news. At the same time, the number of participating businesses providing discounts and benefits to members increased to more than 700 partners, expanding cost-of-living savings and benefits for older South Australians across the state.

Community Engagement and Awareness

In 2025–26, the Office for Ageing Well delivered education sessions and participated in events across South Australia to engage older people, carers, service providers and diverse communities. These activities promoted positive ageing, social inclusion, and awareness of programs and services that support older South Australians to live well and remain connected.

A key focus of this work was raising awareness of adult safeguarding and preventing elder abuse, including providing information on recognising abuse, understanding rights and accessing support. Through its education and outreach activities, the Office for Ageing Well helped strengthen community understanding of safeguarding vulnerable adults and supporting their wellbeing.

Retirement Villages Unit

The Retirement Villages Unit administers the Retirement Villages Act 2016 on behalf of the Minister for Seniors and Ageing Well, providing advice and guidance to residents, prospective residents and operators on their rights and responsibilities under the Act. The unit also monitors and enforces compliance across the sector and provides policy and operational advice to support the effective regulation of retirement villages in South Australia.

During 2025–26, the unit responded to 558 enquiries and cases, delivered 17 information sessions across South Australia, finalised regulations to support the implementation of legislative reforms, and launched a new online Retirement Villages Register for public access.

As at 30 June 2026, there were 508 registered retirement villages in South Australia, comprising 19,278 residences and accommodating an estimated 26,989 residents. The sector remained predominantly focused on independent living, with only a small number of villages providing serviced apartment accommodation. During the year, one new village was registered, and five villages were voluntarily terminated following ministerial approval.

A major focus during the year was the implementation of the Retirement Villages (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2024, which commenced on 2 February 2026. The reforms strengthened consumer protections, improved transparency for residents and prospective residents, and enhanced regulatory oversight. The Retirement Villages Unit undertook extensive implementation activities and delivered information sessions to help residents and operators understand the new requirements. Compliance activities continued to focus on education and early intervention, with no prosecutions commenced during the reporting period.

The Retirement Village Residents Advocacy Program, delivered by the Aged Rights Advocacy Service, continued to provide information, advice and advocacy support to residents. During 2025–26, the service managed 305 cases, up from 275 in the previous year, and provided support in ten SACAT matters. The program plays an important role in helping residents understand and exercise their rights and navigate issues arising within retirement villages.

.

Back to top

Part 3 - Adult Safeguarding Unit

17 - Annual Report

1. The Director must, on or before 31 October in each year, report to the Minister on the operations of the Adult Safeguarding Unit during the preceding financial year.
2. The Minister must, within 6 sitting days after receiving a report under this section, have copies of the report laid before both Houses of Parliament.
3. A report under this section may be combined with the annual report of the Office for Ageing Well under section 11.

The Adult Safeguarding Unit was established under the Ageing and Adult Safeguarding Act 1995 (the Act) to:

• Provide confidential information, education and advice to people concerned about themselves or another person who may be vulnerable to abuse.
• Respond to reports of suspected or actual abuse of adults.
• Provide support to safeguard the rights of adults experiencing abuse, tailored to their needs, wishes and circumstances.
• Raise community awareness about the service and strategies to safeguard the rights of adults who may be at risk of abuse.

During 2025–26, the unit maintained a strong focus on promoting and safeguarding the rights of adults who may be experiencing abuse. This was achieved by working collaboratively with adults and their existing support networks to implement safeguarding actions tailored to their needs, wishes and circumstances.

To respond to increasing service demand, which has risen annually since the unit’s establishment, the unit operates a two-tiered service model: Intake and Early Resolution and Complex Safeguarding. In cases identified for early resolution, the unit works with adults, service providers and community members to build their capacity to implement safeguarding responses. In more complex cases, it delivers a higher level of support to address gaps in safeguarding arrangements and manage associated risks.

Responding to Reports of Abuse or Mistreatment

The Adult Safeguarding Unit must assess all reports of abuse it receives. During the assessment process, it obtains relevant information about the situation to determine whether further action is required. In most situations, the adult’s consent is required before any further action can be taken.

The unit operates a dedicated phone line through which members of the public can seek confidential information, education and advice, or to report suspected abuse of adults. Reports can also be submitted via the unit’s online contact form or email address. Reporting abuse to the unit is voluntary.

Of the 4,551 contacts received in 2025–26:

• 24.79 per cent (1,128 contacts) resulted in a report to the unit, where a comprehensive assessment and relevant safeguarding actions were undertaken.
• 75.21 per cent (3,423 contacts) resulted in tailored safeguarding information and advice being provided to the caller.
• 55.88 per cent of all contacts (2,543) related to concerns of abuse of adults over 65.
• 27.18 per cent of all contacts (1,237 contacts) related to adults living with disability.
• 3.67 per cent of all contacts (167 contacts) concerned adults with other vulnerabilities.
• 13.27 per cent of all contacts (604 contacts) provided insufficient information to determine a category.

Over half of all contacts (62.4 per cent) were made by service providers, with immediate family members accounting for the second largest proportion (16.5 per cent). The most commonly reported types of abuse were psychological/emotional abuse (33.9 per cent), financial abuse or exploitation (28.7 per cent), and neglect (16.8 per cent).

Adult sons and daughters were most frequently identified as the person of concern responsible for the abuse (44.5 per cent), followed by a husband/wife/partner (17.6 per cent) and a father/mother/both parents (12.8 per cent). In some cases (15.2 per cent), the caller was unable to identify a specific person of concern responsible for the abuse.

During 2025–26, the unit closed:

• 945 reports following assessment, with no further action required.
• 77 reports following completion of an investigation.

In most cases, reports were closed following assessment, having determined the adult’s situation was being appropriately managed and safeguarded by other parties. In other cases, the unit provided advice and support to the adult or relevant parties to strengthen safeguarding arrangements and reduce risks, enabling the case to be closed. Other reasons for closure following assessment included the unit not identifying any abuse or the adult denying abuse concerns.

In many cases, progression to investigation was not required due to the comprehensive work undertaken during the assessment phase. Information gathering during assessment is an interactive process that typically involves detailed discussions with the adult or other relevant parties to understand the situation. Through this process, solutions were identified and safeguarding actions implemented either by the adult, with support from the unit, or by others involved in the adult’s life. To mitigate risk and achieve the best possible outcomes, the unit often takes a non-linear approach, implementing safeguarding actions concurrently during the assessment process.

Where investigations were undertaken, the unit identified and implemented targeted safeguarding actions, in collaboration with other parties. Examples of safeguarding actions arising from investigations include applications to SACAT for the appointment of an administrator or guardian, advocacy, coordination of multi-agency responses, safety planning, and increasing access to funded support services such as the NDIS and My Aged Care.

A range of organisations across South Australia provide services, supports and interventions to help prevent abuse and restore people’s right to safety, respect and self-determination. Referrals to these organisations are a critical component of the work undertaken by the Adult Safeguarding Unit to safeguard adults. During
2025–26, the unit made numerous referrals to a broad range of agencies during and following the assessment of reports.

As a general principle, the unit does not take action in response to a report of abuse without the consent of the adult to whom the report relates. In 2025–26, it was approved to take action without consent on 34 occasions under section 24 of the Act. In most cases, this occurred because the adult had impaired decision-making capacity in relation to providing consent for the unit to undertake safeguarding actions on their behalf.

Community Education and Awareness

During 2025–26, the Adult Safeguarding Unit delivered 42 education sessions and participated in a range of community events. The education sessions were targeted at health and community service providers and focused on raising awareness of abuse prevention strategies, building community capacity to respond to abuse and mistreatment, and increasing understanding of the unit’s role in safeguarding the rights of adults, including how to access its services. Community events were attended by a diverse range of stakeholders and community groups, including older people, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Four Embedding Safeguarding into Everyday Practice workshops were delivered across regional and outer metropolitan South Australia. These data-informed workshops were designed to strengthen the capacity of NDIS and aged care service providers to safeguard the rights of adults.

The unit also engaged with stakeholders to strengthen new and existing partnerships. These engagements focused on developing and enhancing collaborative arrangements to support a coordinated approach to safeguarding the rights of adults across South Australia.

Back to top

Disability Inclusion Act 2018

Part 6A - Restrictive practices

23ZE - Minister to provide annual report on operation of Part to Parliament

1. The Chief Executive must, not later than 31 October in each year, cause a report on the operation of this Part during the preceding financial year to be prepared and provided to the Minister, setting out -
   1. the number of Authorised Program Officers authorised by the Senior Authorising Practitioner during that financial year; and
   2. the number of authorisations of the use of level 1 or 2 restrictive practices by the Senior Authorising Officer during that financial year (including any authorisations of the further use of such restrictive practices); and
   3. the kinds of restrictive practices authorised to be used by the Senior Authorising Officer during that financial year; and
   4. any other information required by the regulations.
2. The Minister must, within 12 sitting days after receiving a report under this section, lay a copy of the report before both Houses of Parliament.
3. A report under this section may be combined with the annual report of the administrative unit of the Public Service that is responsible for assisting a Minister in the administration of this Act (in which case the Minister need not lay a copy of the report before both Houses of Parliament under subsection (2)).

The Restrictive Practices Authorisation scheme regulates the authorisation of restrictive practices used by registered NDIS providers when delivering supports and services to NDIS participants. Restrictive practices are interventions that have the effect of limiting the rights and freedom of movement of a person who displays behaviours of concern. The primary purpose of these interventions is to protect the person or others from harm.

The department’s Restrictive Practices Unit oversees the scheme, including authorising regulated restrictive practices, promoting the reduction of restrictive practices in the disability sector, and providing education and training on the use of restrictive practices. The unit is led by the Senior Authorising Officer, whose powers and functions are established under the Disability Inclusion Act 2018.

In the past 12 months, the Senior Authorising Officer authorised 3,541 restrictive practices comprising:

• 3,157 authorisations of environmental, chemical and mechanical restrictive practices, which may be Level 1 or Level 2 practices depending on the circumstances.
• 384 authorisations of seclusion and physical restrictive practices, which are categorised as Level 2.

During 2025–26, 23 Authorised Program Officers met the selection criteria outlined in the Disability Inclusion (Restrictive Practices - NDIS) Regulations 2021 and were authorised by the Senior Authorising Officer to perform the role. As at 30 June 2026, there were 121 Authorised Program Officers in total.

The Restrictive Practices Unit forms part of the Ageing, Disability Policy and Safeguarding division, alongside the Office for Ageing Well and Disability Policy and Reform, enabling a coordinated and integrated approach to safeguarding across the department.

Gaming Machines Act 1992

73BA - Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund

6. The Minister responsible for the administration of the Family and Community Services Act 1972 must, on or before 30 September in each year, prepare a report on the application of the Fund during the preceding financial year and must cause copies of the report to be laid before both Houses of Parliament.

The Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund (GRF) provides funding for services and programs that aim to minimise and address the harm caused by gambling, as outlined in the Minimising Gambling Harm in South Australia Investment Plan  2021–2026. This includes funding for gambling help services across South Australia, services targeting people at greater risk of experiencing gambling harm, and online and telephone gambling help services.

Administered by Gambling Harm Support SA (GHS SA), the GRF provided more than $6.5 million in funding to gambling help services across South Australia during 2025–26.

The successful ‘Spot the Harm. Stop the Harm.’ gambling harm awareness campaign continued during 2025–26, with an evaluation indicating it was effective, with 61 per cent of people who saw the campaign taking a step in the right direction. That is, they self-reported one or more positive attitudinal or behavioural changes.

Of those who saw the campaign, 37 per cent reported increased confidence in avoiding harmful gambling behaviours, while 35 per cent said the campaign had increased their awareness of the wide-ranging impacts of gambling. In terms of behavioural change, one in seven respondents reported reducing their gambling after seeing the campaign. Encouragingly, the campaign also had a strong impact on those spending $100 or more a month on gambling, with 38 per cent reporting that they had reduced their gambling and 23 per cent visiting the GHS SA website.

The Here for the Game initiative also continued during 2025–26, with professional South Australian sporting clubs, including the Adelaide Crows, continuing to challenge the normalisation of gambling in sport. In early 2026, the Here for the Game Community Program reached a significant milestone, with 150 amateur-level South Australian sporting clubs having joined the program to create safer gambling environments.

Gambling Harm Action Week in October 2025 featured the theme ‘Supporting those close to you’. During the week, GHS SA released a range of resources designed to support loved ones as allies in prevention and care, a key project identified in the Investment Plan. The resources included practical tips for starting conversations, supporting children, understanding why people gamble, and finding help. The resources were shared online and distributed to over 450 pubs, clubs and services in South Australia.

Back to top

Julia Farr Services (Trusts) Act 2007

9 - Annual report

1. The administrative unit of the Public Service that is primarily responsible for assisting a Minister in relation to the provision of disability services in the State must include in its annual report for each financial year a statement that sets out, insofar as is reasonably practicable, the following information, as at 30 March of the financial year to which the report relates, with respect to the persons who are residents of the Fullarton campus on 30 June 2007:

1. the number of persons resident at the Fullarton campus;

2. with respect to the persons resident at a place other than the Fullarton campus, a broad description of the nature of their accommodation;

3. during the preceding period of 12 months -

1. the processes used to plan and implement the relocation of any person to accommodation other than the Fullarton campus;

2. the number of persons who returned to accommodation at the Fullarton campus, and the circumstances of their return.

2. A report under subsection (1) should be prepared in a manner that does not identify a particular person.

As at 30 March 2026, there were no residents living at the Fullarton campus, also known as Highgate Park, which has since closed.

The last resident moved from Highgate Park into aged care in April 2020.

No former residents returned to Highgate Park during the preceding 12 months.

Back to top

Retirement Villages Act 2016

11 - Annual report

1. The Registrar must, on or before 30 September in every year, forward to the Minister a report on his or her work and operations for the preceding financial year.
2. The Minister must, within 12 sitting days after receiving a report under this section, have copies of the report laid before both Houses of Parliament.

The Retirement Villages Act 2016 (the Act) provides a regulatory framework for the operation of retirement villages in South Australia. The Act aims to achieve a balance between the rights and responsibilities of residents and operators. It applies to all retirement village schemes operating in South Australia.

Information about registered retirement villages in South Australia is available via the new online public Retirement Villages Register.

Retirement Villages Unit

The Office for Ageing Well’s Retirement Villages Unit administers the Act on behalf of the Minister for Seniors and Ageing Well. The unit provides advice and guidance to residents, prospective residents and operators about rights, obligations and liabilities under the Act, undertakes legislative compliance and enforcement activities, manages the publicly available Retirement Villages Register, and advises the Minister on the operation of the Act.

The Retirement Villages Unit investigates and assesses complaints and allegations of breaches of the Act and associated regulations, in line with the published Enforcement Framework. During 2025–26, the unit:

• Responded to 558 cases relating to retirement village issues.
• Finalised the regulations to support the Retirement Villages (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2024, which commenced on 2 February 2026.
• Undertook extensive implementation activities to support commencement of the Amendment Act, including developing regulatory guidance documents and online content, updating compliance frameworks, and providing advice to internal and external stakeholders.
• Delivered 17 information sessions to residents and operators regarding the Amendment Act.
• Delivered presentations to a range of interested groups and organisations.
• Developed the new online Retirement Villages Register.

The majority of queries in 2025–26 related to the formation and operation of resident committees and their rules and procedures. Requests for advice and assistance relating to exit entitlements and fees remained steady in comparison to the previous year, as did queries about terms of contracts. How villages should respond to behavioural concerns continued to be a consistent theme. Steady contact continued from prospective retirement village residents seeking information from the Retirement Villages Unit.

Size of the Sector

As of 30 June 2026, 508 retirement villages were registered across South Australia, comprising 19,278 residences. The number of people living in retirement villages is estimated at approximately 26,989.

Most retirement villages only offer independent living units. A small section of the sector (32 villages) provides serviced apartment accommodation, which caters to residents requiring additional assistance or support, such as the provision of meals, cleaning, laundry and extra services.

During 2025–26, one new village was registered, and five villages were voluntarily terminated. Under the Act, all retirement village schemes must be registered within 28 days of the first resident taking up occupation.

A retirement village may only be voluntarily terminated with ministerial approval. The five villages terminated were:

• One village in Christie Downs with seven units to be used for affordable rental housing.
• One village in Elizabeth East, with the site of six units to be used for affordable rental housing.
• One village in Klemzig, where 31 units were demolished in 2011. The site was planned for redevelopment but is now intended to be sold.
• One village in Murray Bridge, where two units had been vacant for over ten years and were co-located with a residential aged care facility. The units have been demolished as part of the redevelopment of the aged care facility.
• One village in Mount Gambier, where two serviced apartments co-located with a residential aged care facility have been integrated into the aged care facility.

Exemptions from operation under the Act

The following exemptions remain active under either the previous Retirement Villages Act 1987 or current Act:

• Four under section 18: With client consent, no need to hold premium in Trust (Retirement Villages Act 1987).
• 14 under section 26(1): Ingoing contribution does not have to be held in Trust, maximum deposit $10,000 (current Act).
• 13 under sections 22(1)(c), 33(6), 34(8), 38, 39, 40(4), Schedule 2 - Part 4, clause 11(1): Can have consolidated meetings and financial reports for resident funded and independent living resident groups (current Act).
• 118 various exemptions to allow consolidated meetings and financial reports (Retirement Villages Act 1987 and current Act). These 118 exemptions consist of combinations of sections 22(1)(c), 33(1)(b), 33(2), 33(6), 33(7)(a), 34(8), 38(1), 39(1), 40(1) and 40(4).
• 19 under section 31(3)(a): Operator exempt from assuming responsibility for depreciation (current Act).
• Four under section 57(1): Operator able to rent to persons not eligible under the Act (current Act).

Compliance Activity

The Retirement Villages Unit investigates and assesses complaints and allegations of breaches of the Act and associated regulations. In line with the published Enforcement Framework, the unit adopts an educational approach in the first instance, working with operators to rectify any breach prior to undertaking more punitive enforcement action. No prosecutions were commenced in 2025–26.

Compliance activities during the past 12 months included providing advice in response to enquiries and assessing complaints. A random audit of disclosure documentation from regional areas was completed in November 2025.

Retirement Villages (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2024

The Retirement Villages (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2024 and supporting regulations commenced on 2 February 2026. The Amendment Act gives effect to the recommendations of an independent review of the Act and increases consumer protections for residents and prospective residents of retirement villages. It also mandates greater contract transparency, strengthens standards applying to retirement village operators and village staff, and enhances the powers and functions of the Registrar.

Code of Conduct training will be developed and administered by the Office for Ageing Well and must commence by 5 December 2026. All retirement village operators and staff will be required to complete mandatory training on the codes of conduct before commencing work in a village and every three years thereafter. This requirement applies to all new operators and staff.

The Retirement Villages Unit conducted targeted information sessions to retirement village residents and retirement village operators across the state to help residents and operators understand their rights and responsibilities under the new laws. An operator information session held in the Adelaide CBD was attended by 150 representatives of retirement village operators. Five resident information sessions were held in the Adelaide CBD, Holden Hill, Aberfoyle Park, West Lakes and Mount Barker, with 353 people in attendance in total.

Four operator information sessions and four resident information sessions were held in regional South Australia in the Barossa Valley, Fleurieu Peninsula, Limestone Coast and Murray Bridge. Three combined operator and resident information sessions were held in the Riverland, Port Lincoln and the Yorke Peninsula, with 386 people in attendance in total.

Retirement Village Residents Advocacy Program

Since 2014, Office for Ageing Well has funded the Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS) to provide an advocacy service to retirement village residents. The Retirement Village Residents Advocacy Program provides advocacy support, information and advice on people’s rights. During 2025–26, the program had 305 retirement village cases, up from 275 in 2024–25, of which:

• 155 (51 per cent) were information cases and 150 (49 per cent) were advocacy cases.
• 227 (74 per cent) were via phone, 71 (23 per cent) were via email, five (two per cent) were via face-to-face/events, and two (one per cent) were recorded as other (for example, letters).
• 75.1 per cent of calls were from the Adelaide metropolitan area, 18.4 per cent were from rural and remote locations, while 6.6 per cent remained anonymous or were from interstate enquiring about relatives in South Australia.

Most communication occurred directly with retirement village residents, representing 77.7 per cent of all records. Family members, supporters and carers made up the next largest group at 13.4 per cent, while all other contact types, including legal representatives, were at 8.9 per cent combined.

The Retirement Village Residents Advocacy Service also provided assistance with SACAT matters. This included the provision of information and supporting documentation and attending hearings on ten cases.

In 2025–26, there was a continued focus on providing in-depth support to retirement village residents. The average time spent addressing issues per advocacy case was 381 minutes, down from 433 minutes in 2024-25. The average time spent on information calls was 53 minutes, a slight increase from 50 minutes in 2024–25.

Back to top

Youth Justice Administration Act 2016

9 - Chief Executive’s annual report

1. The Chief Executive must, not later than 30 September in each year, submit to the Minister a report on -

1. the operation of this Act and the work of the Department in relation to the administration of this Act for the financial year ending on the preceding 30 June; and

2. any other matter as the Minister may direct.
2. The Minister must, within 12 sitting days after receipt of a report under this section, cause a copy of the report to be laid before each House of Parliament.

The Youth Justice and Inclusion Support directorate continued to deliver services and initiatives in accordance with the requirements of the Youth Justice Administration Act 2016. Reducing the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children and young people in the youth justice system remains a priority, alongside implementing key practice reforms that reflect a commitment to delivering contemporary, evidence-informed and effective services.

Launched in 2025–26, the Youth Justice Practice Framework outlines the purpose, principles and theoretical foundations that guide service delivery across all Youth Justice settings. The Framework establishes a consistent approach across community-based services and the Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre (Kurlana Tapa), with a strong emphasis on trauma-informed and culturally safe practice.

A new case management model is being developed to strengthen assessment and case planning, with a focus on trauma-informed practice, in line with the Youth Justice Practice Framework. Actions undertaken during 2025–26 included a trial of a new assessment tool, the Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability: Adolescent Version (START-AV), and enhanced staff training.

Trauma-informed practice is a key focus at Kurlana Tapa, where an Enhanced Support Model is being introduced to provide intensive, individualised care for young people with complex needs through culturally centred, relational and therapeutic responses.

DHS is the lead South Australian agency responsible for Socio-Economic Outcome 11 under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which aims to reduce the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people (10 to 17 years) in detention by at least 30 per cent by 2031. The department remains committed to improving outcomes and service responses for Aboriginal children and young people.

The Aboriginal Youth Pathways to Employment (RAW) Program continued to be delivered in partnership with Community Youth Justice. The program provides culturally safe training and employment opportunities for Aboriginal children and young people, supporting them to develop skills and secure paid employment in the building, civil and construction industry.

DHS commenced delivery of the Young Offender Program (YOP) in 2025–26. A key initiative under the Young Offender Plan, the YOP was developed in collaboration with key stakeholders. The program provides multi-agency support to a small cohort of young people to reduce reoffending and achieve better outcomes.

Participants receive individualised, clinically and culturally informed responses, with a particular focus on Aboriginal family-led decision making, case formulation, access to relevant schemes such as the NDIS, and interventions delivered within the young person’s local community. While the YOP is not an Aboriginal-specific program, a key focus is reducing the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children and young people in the justice system.

Actions in 2025–26 to observe and promote the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth Justice Principle contained in the Youth Justice Administration Regulations 2016

Back to top

Reporting required under the Carers Recognition Act 2005

DHS is an applicable organisation for the purposes of the Carers Recognition Act 2005 (the Act). Under section 6 of the Act, the department is required to take all practicable measures to ensure that its officers, employees and agents have an awareness and understanding of the principles of the Carers Charter. The Charter promotes consultation with carers or their representatives in policy or program development and strategic or operational planning.

The following summarises actions undertaken by the department to support compliance with the Act during 2025–26:

• The department undertook public consultation on proposed amendments to the Act. Feedback from carers and peak bodies informed the development of the Carers Recognition (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2025, which was passed by the South Australian Parliament in late 2025.
• To assist public sector staff to understand their obligations under the amended Act, the department developed and published resources, including a factsheet, compliance guidelines and reporting guidance. These resources were informed by consultation with Carers SA, Grandcarers SA, the Disability Minister’s Advisory Council and the department’s Disability Engagement Group. The resources contribute to the delivery of Action 44 of the department’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2026–2030, which aims to provide guidance to state government agencies to better understand and implement the Act and Carers Charter.
• The department commenced an evaluation of the Young Carer Support Service (YCSS) in September 2025. YCSS staff contributed through a reference group that informed the evaluation design, reviewed key outputs and supported data collection. Feedback was gathered from young carers who had participated in the service, as well as from their representatives, through online surveys and focus groups. Young carers involved in lived experience and advisory groups, including the Youth Minister’s Advisory Council and the Young Carer Action Crew, were also consulted through an online survey.
• The department launched its Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2026–2030 in February 2026. Informed by consultation with, and feedback from, people with disability, families, carers and advocacy organisations, the Plan outlines three actions relating to carers (Actions 17, 40 and 44).
• On 28 and 29 May 2026, department representatives participated in the Department for Education’s Stronger Connections Wellbeing Leaders Conference alongside carer support providers to promote awareness of the department’s YCSS and explore opportunities for collaboration.
• The department launched the SA Autism Strategy Action Plan 2025–2029, developed in consultation with the State Autism Strategy Advisory Committee, comprising Autistic people and parents and carers of Autistic people. The Action Plan includes actions to support carers of Autistic people.
• To support implementation of Action 2.13 of the department’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy 2025–2027, information about the SA Carers Charter was made available on the department’s intranet.
• The department’s 2025 DEI Survey included questions to better understand the experiences of employees who are carers.
• The department added links to the Carer-Inclusive Workplace Initiative eLearning modules to its intranet and promoted them to staff.
• To increase the recognition of, and amplify the voice of carers, carers continued to be represented on the Disability, LGBTIQA+ and Youth Minister’s Advisory Councils.
• An audit of the department’s wellbeing rooms was undertaken to ensure they are fit for purpose, including for use by carers.

Back to top

Reporting required under the Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007

Section 20A of the Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007 requires all South Australian public sector agencies to report on the manner in which the agency is addressing matters relating to climate-related risks and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

During 2025–26, the department strengthened its approach to implementing Premier and Cabinet Circular PC007 Climate Ready Government. Activities undertaken include:

• Commencement of a program to progressively replace fleet vehicles powered by internal combustion engines with electric vehicles, supporting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from departmental operations.
• Establishment of an executive-level governance structure to oversee the implementation of Climate Ready Government initiatives and monitor progress against departmental climate-related priorities.
• Completion of an initial review and assessment of climate-related risks and opportunities that may affect the department’s operations, assets, services and stakeholders, providing a foundation for future planning and risk mitigation.
• Provision of climate change training and awareness resources to all staff to build organisational capability and support informed decision-making on climate-related risks and opportunities.

These activities will continue to be expanded through the development of a Carbon Management Plan in 2026–27, alongside ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Back to top