January 1st, 2026.
The Summary Offences (High Risk Missing Persons) Amendment Act 2025 in South Australia, which grants police stronger search-and-entry powers in high-risk missing persons cases, was passed by parliament in late November 2025 and is scheduled to come into operation on
1 January 2026.
Key aspects of the new powers include:
- Definition of High-Risk: A missing person under the age of 14, or anyone believed to be in danger of serious harm if not found quickly.
- Expanded Authority: Senior police can authorize officers to enter premises, vehicles, or vessels without the owner's consent if they suspect a high-risk missing person or evidence is there.
- Duration: These authorizations last for up to 48 hours, with extensions requiring a Supreme Court warrant.
- Purpose: The changes address a previous loophole that restricted police from searching premises unless they suspected a crime had been committed.