If a summons for jury service has landed in your letterbox, you probably have questions: do I have to go, what does it pay, will my job be safe, and can I get out of it? This guide walks you through how jury duty works in South Australia in plain English, using the official rules current as at 2026. If you would like to talk it through with someone, you can call our free legal information line on 1800 951 176.
Free legal information. Not legal advice. Available 24/7.
Jury service in South Australia is run by the Sheriff under the Juries Act 1927. If you are aged 18 to 70 and enrolled to vote in a South Australian jury district, your name can be drawn at random and you can be summoned. Attendance is compulsory unless you are disqualified, ineligible, or excused. Jurors are paid a base fee of $20 for each day they attend, plus 95 cents per kilometre travel, and can claim back lost wages or expenses up to a total of $200 per day. People aged 70 or over can ask to be excused as of right. If you simply ignore a summons without a reasonable excuse, you can be fined up to $1,250.
Most jury summonses are straightforward and you can sort them out yourself with the Sheriff's Office. But some situations are worth a closer look. If you have a criminal record and are unsure whether you are disqualified, if you have a serious illness, caring responsibilities or a business that cannot run without you, or if you have received a notice you think is a mistake, it is worth getting it right the first time rather than guessing. Ignoring a summons is the one thing you should never do. If you are not sure where you stand, call 1800 951 176 for free information about your options before the attendance date passes.
Once you are summoned, there are a handful of ways things can go. Knowing the likely paths ahead of time makes the whole process far less stressful.
If you need help understanding your summons, or you have a question about being excused or disqualified, these official South Australian services can assist.
The official body that issues jury summonses and handles excusal, deferral and eligibility questions in South Australia. Contact them first about your summons.
Free legal information and advice for South Australians, including a telephone advice line and the online Law Handbook covering jury service.
Plain-English explanation of jury selection, eligibility, challenges and the rules of the Juries Act 1927, published by the Legal Services Commission.
The official page setting out the current daily fee, travel allowance and loss-of-income reimbursement for jurors in South Australia.
How do I get out of jury duty in South Australia?
You cannot simply opt out, but you can apply to the Sheriff's Office to be excused or to have your service deferred. Common grounds include being aged 70 or over (excused as of right), illness, caring responsibilities, running a one-person business, or having served on a jury recently. Complete the excusal section of your forms, give clear reasons and attach supporting documents such as a medical certificate, and return everything before the due date. Never just ignore the summons.
How much do you get paid for jury duty in SA?
As at 2026, jurors in South Australia are paid a base fee of $20 for each day they attend, however long or short the day, plus a travel allowance of 95 cents per kilometre calculated from your home to the court and back. If you lose income or incur extra costs (for example lost wages or childcare) because of jury service, you can claim the actual amount up to a maximum of $200 per day, and that $200 cap includes the $20 base fee. State government employees are paid only the travel allowance because their department continues their normal wage.
Can my employer sack me for doing jury duty?
No. Your employer is obliged to release you to attend jury service and cannot lawfully dismiss you or disadvantage you for doing your jury duty. Many employers will keep paying you while you serve, and where they do, they can be reimbursed up to $200 per day. It is worth asking your employer in writing whether they will pay you, so you know whether you also need to lodge a loss-of-income claim.
How long does jury duty last in South Australia?
When you are summoned you are usually on call for a period of about four weeks. Most trials are short, running on average about four to five days. However, if you are empanelled on a longer trial, you must stay until it finishes, even if that runs beyond your four-week period. Being on call does not mean attending every day; you attend when the court tells you to.
What happens if I don't show up for jury duty?
Failing to attend in obedience to a summons, or not answering when your name is called three times, is an offence under the Juries Act 1927 (SA). The maximum penalty is a fine of up to $1,250. If you have a genuine reason you cannot attend, the answer is always to contact the Sheriff's Office and apply to be excused or to defer, not to stay silent and hope it is overlooked.
Who is exempt from jury duty in SA?
Some people are ineligible because of their role or circumstances, including the Governor, members of parliament, judges and magistrates, police officers, legal practitioners, and staff involved in administering justice. People who are mentally or physically unfit to serve, or who do not have sufficient command of English to carry out a juror's duties, are also ineligible. Separately, people with certain criminal convictions are disqualified for set periods. Each of these is dealt with by completing the relevant form for the Sheriff's Office.
Is there an age exemption for jury duty in South Australia?
Yes. People aged 70 or over can ask to be excused from jury service as of right, meaning you do not have to give any further justification beyond your age. The general age range for being summoned is 18 to 70. If you are over 70 and would actually like to serve, you can choose to, but you are not required to.
Can I be challenged and removed from the jury?
Yes. When a trial begins, twelve names are drawn at random in the courtroom, and both the prosecution and the defence may challenge up to three of those people each without giving any reason. This is a normal part of selecting a jury and is not a reflection on you personally. There can also be challenges where a person turns out to be ineligible or disqualified.
Can I talk about what happened in the jury room afterwards?
No. In South Australia it is a serious criminal offence to disclose the jury's deliberations or to harass a juror to find out how the jury reached its verdict. These confidentiality rules sit in the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 and carry significant penalties, including imprisonment. The safe rule is that what is said in the jury room stays in the jury room, even after the trial ends.
Will I definitely end up on a jury if I am summoned?
Not necessarily. Being summoned means you must attend and be available, but many people who attend are never actually empanelled on a jury. You may wait at the court, find your name is not drawn, and be sent home, still paid for the day. Being summoned is the start of the process, not a guarantee that you will sit on a trial.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-19. Laws change — confirm current details with the linked official sources or call 1800 951 176.
For an ordinary jury summons, you usually do not need a lawyer. The Sheriff's Office handles excusals, deferrals and eligibility questions directly, and the forms are designed for members of the public to complete themselves. Where advice can help is if you are unsure whether a past criminal conviction disqualifies you, if you believe a summons has been issued in error, or if attending would cause you serious hardship and you want to put the strongest possible case to be excused. In those situations a short conversation can save you stress and make sure your reply to the Sheriff is complete and on time. If you would like to understand your position before you respond, free information is available on 1800 951 176.
Join our lawyer network →A jury summons can feel daunting, but for most people it is a manageable few weeks and an important public duty. The key things to remember are simple: reply on time, apply to be excused if you have genuine grounds, and never just ignore the letter. If you are unsure about being excused, disqualified or ineligible, or you just want someone to explain the process in plain English, you can call our free legal information line on 1800 951 176. We can point you to the right official service and help you understand your options. Free legal information, not legal advice.
Call Free 1800 951 176Free legal information. Not legal advice.