The department oversees a range of policies and guidelines that help ensure the Government of South Australia effectively communicates with the community.

Alongside legislation, regulation and taxation, communication is one of the 4 main levers of policy delivery. Communications seek to understand, inform, create dialogue with, and influence the citizen, so that trust, respect and confidence are built, policy and service development is better informed, outcomes are more consistently delivered and a stronger society is built.

Guidelines, policies and templates

To ensure the community is effectively engaged on government policies and initiatives, all marketing communications activities must comply with relevant government guidelines, policies and approval processes.

For Communications approval process enquiries: govcommunications@sa.gov.au

Communications and marketing

A new Government Communications Approval Process started on Tuesday 1 November 2022. The following information has been developed to educate you on the new approval process:

Marketing Communications Guidelines (PDF, 450.4 KB)

Quick Reference Guide - Government Communications Approval Process (PDF, 46.4 KB)

Frequently Asked Questions - Government Communications Approval Process (PDF, 36.4 KB)

PC 005: Whole of government communications, branding and advertising (PDF, 308.3 KB)

Recruitment Advertising Policy and Guidelines (PDF, 1.4 MB)

Detailed Communications Strategy template (DOCX, 158.9 KB)

Campaign Evaluation Report template new (DOCX, 214.7 KB)

Social Media Strategy template new (DOCX, 154.6 KB)

Government Communications Advisory Committee 2025 sitting dates

Government Communications Advisory Committee 2025 sitting dates (PDF, 118.8 KB)

GCAC dates are subject to change and will remain up to date on the DPC website.

Media Monitoring contract

Following a government decision in August 2021, and an extensive consultation and procurement process, the Government of South Australia entered into a whole of government contract for media monitoring services with the provider Streem, in November 2021. Agencies across government commenced onboarding to the service in January 2022.

The contract, which is centrally-coordinated by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, allows for any government agencies that require media monitoring to gain access to the service, with their financial contribution determined based on the model approved by government.

The modern and easy-to-use Streem platform provides agencies with access to a wide range of media monitoring features and tools as part of the base contract, with many additional or bespoke requirements able to be accommodated on request.

This whole of government contract model delivers the strategic use of external media monitoring services with a focus on quality and effective service delivery.

Please see the below links for details regarding the features included in the Streem contract, and also answers to questions agencies may have regarding the service.

For further information or any details not covered below, please contact dpcmediaunit@sa.gov.au

This questions and answers page is available to SA Government agencies only and contains answers to questions they may have regarding the contract. If you work for an SA Government entity and are unable to access the Questions and Answers page, please contact dpcmediaunit@sa.gov.au

Media Panel Resources

The Government of South Australia has a new Master Media Scheme effective from 1 July 2023. Wavemaker and Carat (known as the Media Panel) are the media agencies appointed to the Scheme.

For Master Media enquiries: govcommunications@sa.gov.au

Templates for briefing the Media Panel, secondary procurement and Media Panel Rules of Engagement are found below:

PC 005: Whole of government communications, branding and advertising  (PDF, 308.3 KB)

This DPC Circular has been updated in line with the requirements for the new Master Media Scheme.

Master Media Scheme: Media Panel Rules of Engagement (PDF, 124.3 KB)

This document outlines the operating rules of the Media Panel, secondary procurement processes and provides media agency contact details.

Media Brief Request for Quote (DOCX, 303.6 KB)

This is a mandatory template required to be completed to brief agencies on the Media Panel.

Master Media Scheme Guide to Functional Advertising (PDF, 60.8 KB)

This document provides information on Functional Advertising and the booking portal WM Online.

Media Panel Secondary Procurement Simple Purchase Recommendation (DOCX, 236.3 KB)

This template can be used for procurements, under the Master Media Scheme valued greater than $55,000 inc GST, to assist with evaluating Media Panel proposals and seek approval of the outcome, prior to appointing a Media Agency.

Media Panel Secondary Procurement Customer Order (DOCX, 184.5 KB)

This template for a Customer Order can be used to accept the quote and confirm deliverables with the appointed Media Agency.

Branding 

Government of South Australia (GOSA) Branding Guidelines (PDF, 1.9 MB)

PC 005: Whole of government communications, branding and advertising (PDF, 308.3 KB)

FAQs on Common Branding (PDF, 211.8 KB)

State Brand Policy (PDF, 633.6 KB)

Visit Brand SA to download the South Australia - State Brand Guidelines.

For access to GOSA logos and artwork, please see your Director of Communications.

Professional development opportunities for government

As a direct benefit of the Master Media Scheme, complimentary professional development sessions have been developed by the Media Panel, in conjunction with DPC Communications. Sessions are open only to government marketing, communications, engagement and recruitment staff.

Upcoming sessions and links to registrations can be viewed in the Professional Development Calendar.

Government marketing communications expenditure

Refer to Whole of Government Marketing Communications Expenditure.

Contact

Contact the department for matters relating to Government of South Australia communications, marketing and branding.

Email

General: govcommunications@sa.gov.au

Departmental media enquiries: DPCMediaUnit@sa.gov.au

Phone

Departmental media enquiries: 0407 743 068

If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, please contact us through:

• National Relay Service (Speak and Listen) call 1300 555 727
• National Relay Service (TTY users) call 133 677
• Internet Relay users can connect to the National Relay Service.

If English is not your preferred language, please contact the Interpreting and Translating Centre on 1800 280 203 and ask to speak with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Please tell us if you would prefer to speak to an Aboriginal person.

Complaints and feedback

We understand that mistakes happen despite our best efforts – make a complaint or provide feedback.

Business hours

Monday to Friday, 8:45 am to 5:00 pm excluding public holidays.

Location

State Administration Centre
200 Victoria Square
Adelaide SA 5000

Postal address

GPO Box 2343
Adelaide SA 5001