Completed research
This is our catalogue of policy relevant research that has been completed.
Mental health and suicide prevention stocktake
24 / 11 / 2022
This stocktake provides an overview of mental health and suicide prevention programs that are currently funded by the Australian and State and Territory Governments. It seeks to build a shared understanding of the landscape of existing government-funded programs, including ‘who funds what’ in the mental health and suicide prevention system.
The nuisance cost of tariffs
05 / 08 / 2022
This research paper was released on 5 August 2022. The report argues that in Australia’s low tariff-rate environment, the costs of the tariffs arise primarily from the complexity of the tariff system rather than from distortions to the economy. These costs are in addition to the tariff itself and increase costs of businesses, and eventually, prices to consumers.
Public transport pricing
15 / 12 / 2021
COVID-19 has decimated public transport patronage and revenue in all Australian cities. The recovery period provides time for state and territory governments to re-think how they price and deliver sustainable public transport services. The report provides a roadmap for this, while highlighting the pitfalls of some populist pricing approaches.
Wealth transfers and their economic effects
07 / 12 / 2021
The report provides information about how much wealth Australians transfer while they are alive (gifts) and after they die (inheritances), how wealth transfers affect those who receive them, and the impact of wealth transfers on the distribution of wealth in society now, and in the future.
Australia's prison dilemma
29 / 10 / 2021
Australia is putting more people in prison despite a significant fall in the number of criminal offenders. This paper looks at what is driving these trends, the costs on society and whether there are alternatives to prison that still keep the community safe but at a lower cost.
Small business access to finance: The evolving lending market
30 / 09 / 2021
This paper examines how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) access debt finance in Australia. It finds that the recent emergence of new products and lenders, enabled by a supportive regulatory environment and innovative use of data and technology, has expanded the lending options available to SMEs.
Working from home
16 / 09 / 2021
The paper considers how decisions about location of work will be made as firms and workers continue to learn how to organise their work, and what an increase in working from home might mean for workplace regulation, urban centres and wellbeing more generally.
Innovations in care for chronic health conditions
24 / 03 / 2021
This report is about innovative approaches to managing chronic health conditions. Such initiatives aim to promote people’s wellbeing, increase the efficiency of the healthcare system and reduce hospital use.
Plan to identify planning and zoning reforms
09 / 03 / 2021
In July 2020, the Council on Federal Financial Relations asked the Commission to prepare a plan to identify planning and zoning reforms that jurisdictions could consider as part of their response to, and recovery from, the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regulatory technology
09 / 10 / 2020
This information paper has its origins in the Council of Federal Financial Relations, and is intended to support consideration of opportunities to improve regulatory administration and compliance through technology.
Victoria's commercial land use zoning
14 / 09 / 2020
This case study explores the implementation and impacts of changes to Victoria’s commercial zones over the past decade.
Why did young people’s incomes decline?
30 / 07 / 2020
This research paper analyses trends in young people’s incomes from 2001 to 2018 and drivers behind the decline in their incomes after 2008.
Foreign investment in Australia
23 / 06 / 2020
This research paper looks at the trends, drivers and effects of foreign investment in Australia, and the Australian Government’s foreign investment policy. Foreign investment is beneficial for the Australian economy, but brings some risk which can be managed by government policy.
Integrated urban water management — Why a good idea seems hard to implement
18 / 03 / 2020
This research paper examines the policy and implementation frameworks currently governing the urban water sector to identify where there may be impediments to the adoption of Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM).
Vulnerable private renters: Evidence and options
25 / 09 / 2019
This research paper examines the experiences of vulnerable people in the private rental market and the consequences of those experiences, where possible. It also discusses the policy environment affecting outcomes for vulnerable renters, and private renters more generally.
The demand driven university system: A mixed report card
17 / 06 / 2019
This research paper documents what happened during the demand driven university system before it ceased in 2017.
Growing the digital economy in Australia and New Zealand: Maximising opportunities for small medium enterprises (SMEs)
14 / 02 / 2019
This joint Australian and New Zealand report looks at the broad challenges and opportunities created by the digital economy and at what institutional and regulatory settings by the Australian and New Zealand Governments would be most effective.
Rising inequality? A stocktake of the evidence
28 / 08 / 2018
The purpose of this research paper is to contribute to an informed discussion in Australia by bringing together and taking stock of the latest and most complete evidence measuring the prevalence of, and trends in, inequality, economic mobility and disadvantage across Australian society.
Rising protectionism: Challenges, threats and opportunities for Australia
19 / 07 / 2017
This paper outlines a three pronged strategy that would help achieve better outcomes for all Australians and foster public confidence in open markets.
Digital disruption: What do governments need to do?
15 / 06 / 2016
This paper focuses on the role of government in the face of potentially disruptive technological change.