A Triple Win for the Festival State

South Australia has once again claimed the title of Australia’s best place to do business, leading the nation in the 2025 Business Council of Australia (BCA) Regulation Rumble report, its third consecutive win.

The independent BCA analysis ranks South Australia first overall, first for cost and regulation, and first for planning, outpacing every other state and territory. The result reinforces what many business leaders and policymakers have been observing over recent years, South Australia has quietly become the most efficient and business-friendly environment in the country.

Premier Peter Malinauskas described the recognition as further proof that South Australia’s “pro-business Labor Government” is delivering the right results.

“We are a pro-business Labor Government with a desire to get our state moving,” Malinauskas said.
“There is real momentum in our economy, and enormous opportunity ahead of us.
This doesn’t happen by accident, it happens because we have a strong, stable, reliable government, competitive tax rates, consistent regulation, and a clear planning regime.”

The Best Mix of Cost, Certainty, and Simplicity

The Regulation Rumble report, which benchmarks the competitiveness of every state and territory, found that South Australia has the most efficient payroll tax system in the country and performs strongly in property costs and licensing.

The state’s payroll tax rate remains the lowest in Australia for both large employers and growing small-to-medium businesses, a policy designed to encourage local job creation and investment.

In the area of planning, South Australia ranked number one for consistency, certainty, and efficiency, meaning businesses can make decisions with fewer delays and less red tape. The BCA’s Chief Executive Bran Black said South Australia’s approach offers a clear model for others to follow.

“South Australia is leading the nation and shows us that cutting unnecessary red tape and designing efficient regulations is not just good for business, it’s good for workers and communities,” Black said.
“This report shines a light on what’s working across Australia and encourages healthy competition between jurisdictions to raise living standards through business investment.”

How the States Ranked

The findings reinforce South Australia’s growing reputation as the nation’s most predictable and affordable place to operate, while other states continue to grapple with complex approvals, rising business costs, and infrastructure bottlenecks.

Strong Results Beyond the Rumble

The BCA’s findings add to a growing list of recent indicators pointing to South Australia’s business momentum. The state has also ranked number one in the Housing Industry Association’s (HIA) Housing Policy Scoreboard, highlighting its efficient planning system, streamlined housing approvals, and balanced approach to affordability and supply.

For the home building and construction industry, this consistency in policy is crucial. Clear rules, fair tax structures, and efficient planning systems help builders and developers move faster from concept to construction, something that has become a major competitive advantage in a national market struggling with regulatory complexity.

Confidence for Builders and Investors

South Australia’s sustained leadership is creating fertile ground for investors, trades, and builders who are looking for predictability in a volatile national landscape. The state’s policy mix, combining low business costs, efficient regulation, and streamlined planning, is giving developers and employers confidence to expand.

For the home building sector, that stability translates directly into project delivery and workforce planning. With other jurisdictions still reforming their planning systems and dealing with regulatory backlogs, South Australia’s ability to offer certainty and speed is proving decisive.

Builders operating in Adelaide and regional areas are finding it easier to move projects through the pipeline, with fewer bureaucratic hurdles and more clarity from state and local authorities.

The Bigger Picture

The BCA’s message is clear: good regulation lifts everyone. When governments simplify processes and build trust with industry, the benefits flow through to communities, from more jobs and affordable housing to stronger regional economies.

As Bran Black noted, “cutting unnecessary red tape” doesn’t just help boardrooms; it strengthens the social fabric by making business investment more productive and sustainable.

And for Premier Malinauskas, the win is about more than just rankings.

“Our approach is delivering real results, in a way our state is not accustomed to,” he said. “We’re proving that you can have a strong economy and a fair, balanced approach that rewards effort and investment.”

The Good Builder View

From a national perspective, South Australia’s performance offers valuable lessons for policymakers and builders alike. It demonstrates that clarity, simplicity, and collaboration between government and industry can drive confidence and investment, not just in construction, but across the economy.

In a time when many states are struggling with approval delays and cost escalations, South Australia’s success story shows what can happen when governments and industry pull in the same direction.

As the rest of the country continues to wrestle with housing supply, workforce shortages, and complex planning regimes, South Australia’s example stands as a blueprint for how to get the fundamentals right, creating an environment where business, community, and construction can all thrive.

Author: TGB Editorial