Through our research, the Commission contributes to the public debate and encourages informed policy discussion.
The Commission has a statutory mandate to conduct a program of research to support its inquiries, annual reporting and other responsibilities, including promoting community awareness and understanding of various productivity and regulatory issues.
Released: 29 Oct 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
https://www.pc.gov.au/research/completed/prison-dilemma
Released: 30 Sep 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,
https://www.pc.gov.au/research/completed/business-finance
Released: 16 Sep 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
https://www.pc.gov.au/research/completed/working-from-home
Released: 30 Jul 2020
This research paper analyses trends in young peopleâs incomes from 2001 to 2018 and drivers behind the decline in their incomes after 2008.
https://www.pc.gov.au/research/completed/youth-income-decline
Released: 23 Jun 2020
This research paper looks at the trends, drivers and effects of foreign investment in Australia, and the Australian Governmentâs foreign investment policy. Foreign investment is beneficial for the Australian economy, but brings some risk which can
https://www.pc.gov.au/research/completed/foreign-investment
Released: 18 Mar 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).
https://www.pc.gov.au/research/completed/water-cycle
Released: 25 Sep 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
https://www.pc.gov.au/research/completed/renters
Released: 17 Jun 2019
This research paper documents what happened during the demand driven university system before it ceased in 2017.
https://www.pc.gov.au/research/completed/university-report-card
Released: 14 Feb 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.
https://www.pc.gov.au/research/completed/growing-digital-economy
Released: 28 Aug 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
https://www.pc.gov.au/research/completed/rising-inequality
We undertake other policy relevant research in addition to our commissioned public inquiries and studies. This web page lists our current research projects.
This is our catalogue of policy relevant research that has been completed.
Commission staff undertake supporting research and analysis, data compilation and model development in support of our inquiry and study activity.
Employment & Education
Industry & Trade
Natural Resources
Productivity Analysis
Social & Community