The Role of the Commission

The Productivity Commission is the Australian Government’s principal advisory body on all aspects of microeconomic reform. The Commission’s work covers all sectors of the economy. It extends to the public and private sectors and focuses on areas of Commonwealth as well as State and Territory responsibility. The statutory functions of the Commission are to:

• hold public inquiries and report on matters related to industry and productivity, including safeguard procedures (external link)
• provide secretariat services and research services to government bodies such as the Council of Australian Governments
• investigate and report on complaints about the implementation of the Australian Government’s competitive neutrality arrangements
• advise the Treasurer on matters related to industry and productivity as requested
• initiate research on industry and productivity issues
  
• promote public understanding of matters related to industry and productivity.

The Commission may also undertake any other activities incidental to these functions and has some flexibility in how it performs these functions.