South Australia holds a state election approximately every four years and during the time before the election, the government takes on the role of ‘caretaker’.
For the 2026 state election, writs will be issued on Saturday 21 February officially entering the government into caretaker period. This period lasts until the election result is determined.
Caretaker period is governed by the caretaker conventions which is intended to prohibit decisions limiting the freedom of action of an incoming government.
During this period of Caretaker, the government should avoid:
- making major policy decisions that would bind an incoming government
- making significant appointments or
- entering into major contracts or undertakings.
See the Department of the Premier and Cabinets Guide to Caretaker conventions and pre-election practices 2025 (external site) (PDF) for further advice including what is considered major or significant.
The caretaker period ends when the current government has been re-elected or a new government sworn in. After any election, machinery of government (MoG) changes may be implemented even if the same party is re-elected. These MoG changes may impact the function of agencies, and as a result the official records you hold.
State Records has several resources to help guide your agency through its information management responsibilities during this time.
Information Management
- Administrative Change, Caretaker Period and Elections (webpage)
- Management of Records in a Minister's Office during Caretaker and post-Election Periods (PDF)
- Managing Official Records During Administrative Change - Guideline (PDF)
- Managing information in Ministers’ Offices - Handbook (PDF)
- Transfer Standard and Process