The first to serve in the position was Labor deputy leader Des Corcoran.

Prior to that time the term was sometimes used unofficially for the second-highest ranking minister in the government, usually the Treasurer.

Dean Brown did the reverse, becoming Deputy Premier to Rob Kerin, 5 years after his own premiership ended at the hands of John Olsen.

South Australia's longest-serving deputy premier is Kevin Foley, who served in the position from March 2002 to February 2011.

If the governing or majority party had not yet elected a new leader, that appointment would be on an interim basis.