Completed Research
This is our catalogue of policy relevant research that has been completed.
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.
Indigenous Primary School Achievement
08 / 06 / 2016
This self-initiated research project was able to access a new national dataset that links information about primary school students' literacy and numeracy achievement and demographic characteristics with information about the schools they attend.
Developments in Anti-Dumping Arrangements
29 / 02 / 2016
This research paper provides an economic stocktake of recent anti-dumping activity and the changes to Australia's anti-dumping system since the Commission's last report.
Housing Decisions of Older Australians
01 / 12 / 2015
The report is the third flagship research paper and it continues the investigation of issues relating to the ageing of Australia's population, this time focusing on the housing choices made by older Australians.
Tax and Transfer Incidence in Australia
07 / 10 / 2015
This paper sheds light on how Australia's tax and transfer system functions to distribute income across the population and over lifetimes. It presents a descriptive analysis to inform public debate about the distributive impacts of the tax and transfer system in the lead up to the development of the Australian Government's Tax Options and White Papers.
Superannuation Policy for Post-Retirement
07 / 07 / 2015
This report is a detailed analysis of two aspects of superannuation policy affecting the post-retirement phase: What might happen if the age that individuals can access their superannuation (the 'preservation age') were raised? Is the way people draw down their superannuation, and in particular, the use of lump sums, problematic?
International Education Services
30 / 04 / 2015
This paper focuses on the two key policy levers the Government has at its disposal to influence International Education Services (IES): the visa system and regulation aimed at providing quality assurance in the delivery of education to international students.
Efficiency in Health
23 / 04 / 2015
In this paper, the Commission has identified and assessed opportunities to improve the operation of Australia's health care system. This is based on a roundtable the Commission held with health policy experts in November 2014, as well as follow-up research.
Housing Assistance and Employment in Australia
09 / 04 / 2015
This paper examines the links between housing assistance - social housing and Commonwealth Rent Assistance - and employment.
Examining Barriers to More Efficient Gas Markets
31 / 03 / 2015
This paper examines issues relating to different stages of the gas supply chain in the eastern Australian gas market, against the backdrop of integration with the Asia-Pacific market.
Australia's International Tourism Industry
26 / 02 / 2015
The Commission examined trends, drivers and barriers to growth in the Australian international tourism industry. The paper was released on 26 February 2015.
An Ageing Australia: Preparing for the Future
22 / 11 / 2013
This report focuses on the effects of ageing on economic output (underpinned by changes in population, participation and productivity) and the resulting implications for government budgets were current policy settings to be maintained. In that context, it will help inform the forthcoming Intergenerational Report (IGR).