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Government of South Australia - Department of State Development

    Strategic Direction for the Department of State Development

    Increasing South Australia’s economic growth above the national growth rate.
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    • Strategic Directions 2025-2030

    The Department of State Development plays a central role in delivering the South Australian Government’s economic agenda.

    We are committed to driving sustainable economic growth and building a resilient, productive economy powered by science, technology, and enterprise. Our purpose is clear: to help South Australia grow faster than the national average and secure a better future for all South Australians.

    Our work spans policy, programs, and partnerships that enable industries and businesses to thrive in a rapidly changing global environment. We lead the development and promotion of South Australia’s value proposition across key domestic and international markets, supporting job creation, investment, and export growth.

    The world around us is evolving quickly. Technological disruption, environmental challenges, and shifting global dynamics are reshaping how industries operate and how people make decisions about work, study, and migration. In this context, DSD’s role is more important than ever. We are focused on delivering bold, innovative policy advice and services that respond to these challenges and unlock new opportunities for South Australia.

    Our four key strategies that guide our efforts include: competing globally for talent, business and investment; partnering with organisations that drive productivity and growth; building industrial and workforce capability; and targeting high-impact projects that deliver outsized benefits to the state’s economy.

    At the heart of our approach is collaboration and impact. We work across government, industry, academia and communities to design and deliver solutions that make a real difference. By fostering a high-performance culture within our department and embracing diversity, creativity and excellence, we are well-positioned to shape South Australia’s economic future with confidence and purpose.

    Our Strategies

    Compete Globally

    Successfully compete globally for people, business, investment and export.

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    Growth Focus

    Identify and work with the organisations that will drive productivity, and create growth, jobs and exports.

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    Capability Development

    Develop necessary industrial and workforce capability to increase productivity, participation and knowledge intensive, value-added activity in SA.

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    Strategic Impact

    Target strategic opportunities and projects that will have a disproportionate positive impact on the state’s economy

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    Enablers for growth

    Successfully compete globally for people, business, investment and export.

    Our Focus

    • Ambitious migration policy and settings which aim to boost productivity, fill skill shortages, connect international students to work, and strengthen communities. ​
    • ​Promoting South Australia's unique strengths and capabilities to the world.
    • Supporting exporters in the markets and sectors where South Australia has the greatest competitive advantage.
    • Missions, activations and promotions that showcase South Australia as an education, research and industry connected destination
    • Targeting and attracting high impact investments through tailored promotion and partnership.
    • Developing businesses and organisations with the greatest potential for growth, innovation, and training and employment outcomes.
    • Building enduring and productive relationships through targeted engagement and consistently delivering value

    The Impact

    • SA is globally recognised and is a trusted and reliable partner. ​
    • SA has a highly skilled workforce and a more balanced demographic profile which strengthens the state’s economic and social standing.
    • Regions in SA ​are sustainable and prosperous.
    • Businesses and industry are more resilient, with increased revenue, profitability and innovation.
    • New income and investment flow into both the state and the nation.
    • SA attracts more international students, large-scale businesses, and capital, enhancing global recognition and economic growth.

    Identify and work with the businesses that will drive productivity, and create growth, jobs and exports.

    Our Focus

    • Strategically targeting partners in high growth and emerging sectors or industries.
    • Drivers of productivity and economic growth in high growth and emerging sectors or industries
    • Targeting delivery partners leading and navigating technology adoption and scaling to drive business transformation
    • Leveraging our networks and partnerships to help businesses drive productivity, growth, export​.
    • Connecting businesses to innovation and development opportunities and services to facilitate growth.

    The Impact

    • More career opportunities and higher value jobs​​ are created and exist.
    • SA businesses are global leaders in their field​ and supporting global supply chains.
    • There are sustainable and high-quality education and training providers in SA​.
    • There is a skills and workforce participation uplift in the SA economy.
    • There is increased business investment in R&D​ in SA.
    • There are more medium sized businesses continuing to operate in SA.
    • SA’s share of national export increases.

    Develop necessary industrial and workforce capability to increase productivity, participation, and knowledge intensive, value-added activity in SA.

    Our Focus

    • Commercialisation outcomes through connection of R&I with government, industry, education sectors.
    • Targeting strategic investments in industrial and workforce capability.​
    • Skills investment planning to target skills aligned to strategic economic priorities, and cohorts who experience low workforce participation.
    • Targeting industries that have competitive advantage.​
    • Targeting specific investors or finance for specific industries/opportunities across more diverse markets​.
    • Our investment approach is strategic, targeted, ambitious and aligned for maximum impact, across the economic sectors.
    • Our skilled migration program responds to industry need.

    The Impact

    • Manufacturing’s share of GSP is increased to 10%​.
    • SA increases on the economic complexity index​.
    • SA has increased its value-added exports. ​
    • More research is translated into commercial outcomes.​
    • SA’s proportion of higher skilled workers is increased to at least the national average.
    • SA increases its development and retention of a skilled workforce.
    • More local opportunities are contributing to major industrial activity (e.g.: AUKUS)​.
    • SA attracts a greater proportion of research funding.​

    Target strategic opportunities and projects that will have a disproportionate positive impact on the state’s economy.

    Our Focus

    • Strategic opportunities/projects with economic and socio- economic outcomes that have a significant positive impact on SA’s economy and community.
    • Industry sectors with robust growth strategies and opportunities arising from emerging markets and global trends
    • Influencing Whole of Government (incl. Commonwealth) strategic decision making for opportunities and/or funding in high growth and emerging sectors​
    • Allocating and prioritising our resources to the projects that are going to have the most disproportionate positive impact.
    • Partnering with industry to have a better understanding of the project, their requirements, and having a bigger impact​.

    The Impact

    • SA’s share of the National Economy increases.​
    • Sustainable growth and prosperity is created for future generations
    • There are more people in work, more people in well paid secure work, including an increase of priority cohorts​ in that workforce.
    • SA becomes more resilient to economic shocks​, and is well positioned to navigate an insecure world.
    • The Australian Government’s confidence to invest in SA is increased based on relevance to the national economy.