South Australia's peak employer body is calling on the state government to consider further payroll tax incentives in the June state budget.
Business SA released a wish list from its 2019-20 pre-budget submissions.
Seventeen priorities were identified.
It includes further funding for the human service sector and implementing a gas efficiency program.
Business SA's government engagement director Anthony Penney said new companies should be offered further incentives, while those existing be rewarded for remaining headquartered in SA.
"This would be a symbolic step away from picking economic winners, by showing South Australia is a genuinely competitive place to do business," Mr Penney said.
"It could mean more international businesses either settle here or large Australian companies move or stay here."
He said businesses that employ science, technology, engineering and maths PhD graduates should be granted payroll incentives.
"This is to increase collaboration between universities and business, with an exemption equivalent to 200 per cent of wages."
Business SA also calls for a Gas Efficiency Program which provides assistance to reduce gas use and source viable alternatives.
A state government-funded investigation to duplicate the Augusta Highway from Port Wakefield to Port Augusta was another suggestion.
