Older South Australians have told us loud and clear that they feel forgotten and ignored in the 2025-26 State Budget which was released on 5 June. Cost-of-living remains a dominant concern along with a growing frustration with the lack of targeted measures for older people. In the lead-up to the State Budget, we shared with government the feedback we have heard consistently from older South Australians – that cost of living pressures are their primary concern, followed closely by access to health; and this shaped the focus of our advocacy in our State Budget submission. We called for free ambulance services for older South Australians receiving the full aged pension and an extension to the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme, to provide fairer access to health services for older South Australians living in the Fleurieu Peninsula. These modest and reasonable proposals were not taken up in the 2025-26 State Budget.

In our recent State Budget survey, older South Australians shared their views on the State Budget*. Many respondents expressed disappointment and concern, feeling that their voices are not being listened to in key government decisions and that the 2025-26 budget largely overlooked their key needs.

As the peak body for older South Australians, COTA SA is dedicated to understanding the many and varied experiences of older people, to asking what would make a difference to their lives, and then advocating for positive change to Government and decision-makers.

Thank you to those who took part, your valuable insights guide us in shaping effective policy positions and advocating for your needs. Below are some of the key findings, and you can also view our media release issued following the budget announcement here.

“Nothing good” in the budget for older South Australians

I'm not eating or taking my medicines regularly as rent in public housing just keeps increasing twice a year. I have to sell my car to try and survive"

“I struggle to see what is in this budget for either myself or older South Australians. If there's anything in it for older South Australians, can you please point it out”

– survey respondents

Older South Australians are hurting. Overall, they indicated they do not feel positive about the 2025-26 State Budget. More than half our survey respondents felt negative (32% somewhat negative, 20% very negative) and more than a third felt neutral about the State Budget (36%). Only 8% told us they were feeling positive (6% somewhat positive, 2% very positive).

56% of respondents stated that there was “nothing good” in the 2025-26 State Budget for them or for other older South Australians. This is the highest proportion to report this sentiment in any of COTA SA’s State Budget surveys to date.

Concerningly, 59% of survey respondents felt that the budget measures would have a negative impact on their life over the next year (40% somewhat negative, 19% very negative). By contrast, just over a quarter (27%) felt the impact would be neutral, and only a small proportion (8%) expected any form of positive outcome (6% somewhat positive, 2% very positive).

These results indicate a sense of disappointment among many older South Australians, who feel that the budget has not addressed their priorities or circumstances in any meaningful way. While a few welcomed initiatives such as crime prevention and investment in health, these were not enough to shift the overall perception that the budget missed key opportunities to provide lasting support.

Meaningful cost of living relief was a missed opportunity

“No consideration was given to older Australians struggling with the cost of living crisis.”

“Cost of living still remains high despite what has been mentioned by politicians, and there was nothing in the budget to address these issues.”

– survey respondents

With cost-of-living pressures continuing to affect older South Australians, 41% of survey respondents identified the lack of meaningful relief as the key missed opportunity in the 2025-26 State Budget. As costs of groceries, insurance, and utilities bills continue to rise faster than fixed incomes, respondents expressed frustration that the budget failed to address the day-to-day financial strain they face trying to make ends meet.

Free ambulance cover continues to be a priority for older South Australians

COTA SA has been advocating for free ambulance services for older South Australians receiving the full aged pension, raising this issue through our state budget submission and direct engagement with government. We were disappointed that yet again, this opportunity was overlooked, leaving South Australia as the last remaining Australian jurisdiction not to make emergency ambulance transport free for full age pensioners; one of the key customer groups accessing this vital service.

Acknowledging this is a significant issue for some of our most vulnerable people, many respondents identified the absence of free ambulance services as a missed opportunity when sharing their insights into what was missed in the State Budget.

“Free ambulance would have been a positive. A few years ago, I had bad chest pains and didn't call an ambulance for fear of high cost that I knew I could not afford. Luckily a neighbour took me to hospital…”

“No free ambulance services, what happens in Age Care Facility, who pays?”

– survey respondents

These concerns highlight what we at COTA SA continue to hear from older South Australians: that access to emergency care should never depend on the ability to pay. We understand how pressing this issue is for many, and we will continue to strongly advocate until ambulance services are free for South Australians on the full age pension, as they are for older Australians interstate.

Cost of Living concessions continue

COTA SA notes that although not referenced in the 2025-2026 budget, many older people will continue to benefit from the concessions announced in previous budgets, such as the doubling of the Cost of Living Concession announced last year, including for renters and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders to match the payment to eligible homeowners. Seniors Card holders continue to access 24/7 free public transport on all Adelaide Metro buses, trains and trams, introduced in July 2022 following advocacy from COTA SA.

COTA SA encourages older South Australians to check their eligibility for State Government Concessions by contacting the Concessions SA Hotline on 1800 307 758 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) or email concessions@sa.gov.au. Hotline staff will be able to discuss your eligibility for concessions in closer detail and, if appropriate, begin the application process.

Hospital to aged care transition

One of the only inclusions that directly referenced support for older people in this year’s State Budget was a federally-funded initiative aimed at assisting older people who are or are at risk of becoming long stay hospital patients. This commitment from the Commonwealth Government of $42.9 million over four years commenced in the 2024-25 financial year, funding a Geriatric Outreach Service delivered by SA Health, to improve transitions between hospital, home and residential aged care. Currently there are 241 long stay patients – older people who are unable to be discharged from SA hospitals due to a lack of suitable aged care places. COTA SA welcomes this investment.

Law and order focus welcomed, but overshadowed more urgent priorities

"I don’t feel threatened or worry about security but I know many of my cohort are worried. I feel better for them. But is ‘law and order’ overly funded? No direct benefit for me."

– survey respondent

Some respondents saw the focus on community safety and crime prevention in the 2025-26 State Budget as positive steps toward creating safer neighbourhoods. However, many also questioned the strong focus on law and order, especially during a time when cost-of-living pressures remain a more immediate concern for older South Australians. While safety is valued, respondents felt it should not come at the expense of greater support for those struggling with everyday essentials.

Budget surplus should prioritise cost-of-living support in an election year

“I have not run my air conditioner or heating at home for 3 years. I cannot afford it. I live rurally, so do not have a warm bus or train to ride. Being aged gets sadder and more of a struggle to simply live (the basics) The politicians do not care, and we know it. Does not matter what party. Their attitudes to the reality of life for we ordinary people does not matter until the voting cycle draws close.” – survey respondent

As the peak body for older South Australians, COTA SA sees the upcoming state election and the development of the new State Ageing Plan as key opportunities to ensure that the voices of older South Australians are heard and valued in the decisions that shape our community.

COTA SA welcomes the Treasurer’s acknowledgement that a budget surplus provides the Government with the capacity to respond to pressing community needs—particularly cost-of-living support, which remains critical for many older South Australians and aligns closely with the feedback you shared with us in the survey.

Never before have we heard through our survey so many people express how deeply they are being affected by the rising cost-of-living. COTA SA takes seriously our role in working with our community and our partners to seek solutions, and rest assured we remain firmly committed to advocating on behalf of older South Australians.

To stay up to date with our policy and advocacy work, become a free member of COTA SA and receive the latest news and updates from our organisation.

*100 older South Australians took part in our 2025-26 State Budget survey, which was open from 5-9 June.