Skip to Content
 Close search

On efficiency and effectiveness: Some definitions

Staff research note

This note was released on 9 May 2013.

The terms efficiency and effectiveness are commonly used, yet often are applied in slightly and occasionally widely different ways. This staff research note sets out how the Productivity Commission defines these terms along with related concepts such as cost effectiveness and productivity.

Staff research notes have been prepared and are authored by individual staff to advance understanding of issues on the Commission's supporting research program. The views expressed in these notes are those of the staff involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Productivity Commission.

Download the note

Printed copies

This publication is only available online.

Publications feedback

We value your comments about this publication and encourage you to provide feedback.

Submit publications feedback