Completed inquiries
The following is a list of all completed Public inquiries and commissioned studies undertaken by the Commission.
Business Set-up, Transfer and Closure
07 / 12 / 2015
The Australian Government asked the Commission to undertake a public inquiry into the barriers to setting up and closing businesses and identify options for reducing barriers where appropriate.
Service Exports
07 / 12 / 2015
This study has concluded. Commissioned study into barriers to growth in Australian services exports, focusing on the education, financial services, health services, information technology, professional services and tourism sectors.
Mutual Recognition Schemes
25 / 09 / 2015
Commissioned study into the operation of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) and the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA).
Natural Disaster Funding
01 / 05 / 2015
The Australian Government has asked the Commission to undertake a public inquiry into the efficacy of current national natural disaster funding arrangements, taking into account the priority of effective natural disaster mitigation and the reduction in the impact of disasters on communities.
Childcare and Early Childhood Learning
20 / 02 / 2015
The Australian Government has asked the Productivity Commission to undertake a public inquiry into future options for childcare and early childhood learning, with a focus on developing a system that supports workforce participation and addresses children's learning and development needs.
Access to Justice Arrangements
03 / 12 / 2014
Inquiry into Australia's system of civil dispute resolution, with a focus on constraining costs and promoting access to justice and equality before the law.
Costs of Doing Business: Retail Trade Industry
10 / 10 / 2014
The Australian Government has requested that the Productivity Commission undertake a 6 month study into the cost structures of businesses operating in the Australian retail trade industry, including costs relative to international competitors.
Costs of Doing Business in Australia: Dairy Product Manufacturing
10 / 10 / 2014
The Australian Government has requested that the Productivity Commission undertake a six month study into the cost structures of businesses operating in the Australian dairy product manufacturing industry, including costs relative to international competitors.
Australia's Automotive Manufacturing Industry
26 / 08 / 2014
The Australian Government asked the Commission to undertake an inquiry into public support for Australia's automotive manufacturing industry.
Public Infrastructure
14 / 07 / 2014
The Australian Government has asked the Commission to undertake a 6-month public inquiry into ways to encourage private financing and funding for major infrastructure projects, including issues relating to the high cost and the long lead times associated with these projects.
Tasmanian Shipping and Freight
24 / 06 / 2014
The Australian Government has asked the Commission to undertake an inquiry into current arrangements for subsidising shipping freight and passenger services between the mainland and Tasmania.
Geographic Labour Mobility
06 / 05 / 2014
The principal objective of the study was to examine patterns of mobility, impediments and enablers, and their effect on the ability to meet Australia's continually changing workforce and employment needs.
Mineral and Energy Resource Exploration
05 / 03 / 2014
The Australian Government asked the Commission to undertake a 12-month inquiry into the non-financial barriers to mineral and energy resource exploration.
National Access Regime (2013)
10 / 02 / 2014
The Australian Government has asked the Commission to undertake a 12 month inquiry into the National Access Regime.
Safeguards Inquiry into the Import of Processed Fruit Products
20 / 12 / 2013
Inquiry into whether safeguard action is warranted against imports of processed fruit products of the Australian Customs Tariff.
Major Project Development Assessment Processes
10 / 12 / 2013
The Australian Government has requested the Productivity Commission undertake a study to benchmark Australia's major project development assessment processes against international best practice.
Regulator Engagement with Small Business
09 / 10 / 2013
The Australian Government, with the agreement of Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) Business Regulation and Competition Working Group, has requested that the Productivity Commission undertake a 9-month benchmarking study into regulator engagement with small business.
Electricity Network Regulation
26 / 06 / 2013
This inquiry will test whether there are any barriers in the regulatory framework to the greater use of productivity benchmarking by energy networks, which could deliver more efficient outcomes to consumers. It will also examine if efficient levels of transmission interconnectors are being delivered to support the efficient operation of the National Electricity Market.
Safeguards Inquiry into the Import of Processed Tomato Products
21 / 06 / 2013
Inquiry into whether safeguard action is warranted against imports of processed tomato products of the Australian Customs Tariff.
Compulsory Licensing of Patents
03 / 04 / 2013
The Australian Government has asked the Commission to undertake an inquiry into the compulsory licensing provisions in the Patents Act 1990. The purpose of the inquiry is to assess, advise and recommend on the impacts and mechanisms of compulsory licensing invoked by the Patent Act's public interest and anti-competitive safeguard.