Productivity Inquiry

What we’ve been asked to look at

The Productivity Commission has been asked to review Australia’s productivity performance and recommend an actionable roadmap to assist governments to make productivity-enhancing reforms.

This Inquiry is the second in a series, undertaken at 5 yearly intervals – the previous Inquiry was completed in 2017.

Read the Terms of Reference

Call for submissions paper

The Commission has released a paper calling for submissions and comments to the Inquiry. Individuals and organisations providing submissions or comments should provide evidence to support their views, including data and specific examples where possible.

Initial submissions were due by 23 March 2022.

Read the call for submissions paper

Interim reports

Productivity growth is about harnessing our ingenuity to do more with the resources we already have — working smarter, not harder — and investing in the latest technology and the best ideas.

The Productivity Inquiry focuses on the enablers of productivity growth in a modern, market-based, service-oriented world.

You were invited to examine these 6 interim reports and to make written submissions by 21 October 2022.

Interim report 1

The first interim report provides the broad productivity context for the exploration of productivity-enhancing reforms detailed in a series of forthcoming interim reports.

Read The Key to Prosperity

Interim report 2

The second interim report explores how digital technology and data can be used to improve Australia’s productivity.

Read Australia's data and digital dividend

Interim report 3

The third interim report explores how encouraging innovation across the vast majority of Australian businesses and in the government sector can improve Australia's productivity.

Read Innovation for the 98%

Interim report 4

The fourth interim report investigates how policy can address key challenges and opportunities facing the business environment.

Read A competitive, dynamic and sustainable future

Interim report 5

The fifth interim report outlines potential ways governments can improve education outcomes to support future productivity.

Read From learning to growth

Interim report 6

The sixth and last interim report explores how a well-functioning labour market is critical to productivity growth and social wellbeing.

Read A more productive labour market

Final report to Government and release

The final inquiry report is to be handed to the Australian Government in February 2023.

The release of the final report by the Government is the final step in the process.

Under the Productivity Commission Act 1998, the Government is required to table the report in each House of the Parliament within 25 sitting days of receipt.