The 1996 South Australian National Football League season was the 117th season of the top-level Australian rules football competition in South Australia.
The season opened on 30 March and concluded on 6 October with the Grand Final, in which went on to record its 34th premiership, defeating by 36 points.
, , also made the top (final) five teams and participated in the finals series. , , , all missed the top five, with the last of those finishing last to record its 18th wooden spoon.
The 1996 SANFL season marked the end of an era for Port Adelaide being their last year in the SANFL, as the Port Adelaide Football Club joined the AFL in 1997.