Supporting research and data
Commission staff undertake supporting research and analysis, data compilation and model development in support of our inquiry and study activity.
On productivity: The influence of natural resource inputs
11 / 06 / 2013
This staff research note, released on 11 June 2013, looks at the effect of one of these other possible sources of change - natural resource inputs.
On sustainability: an economic approach
14 / 05 / 2013
This staff research note, released on 14 May 2013, illustrates possible interpretations of sustainability and what they imply for policy analysis by using an economic framework for exploring the issues.
On efficiency and effectiveness: Some definitions
09 / 05 / 2013
This staff research note, released on 9 May 2013, sets out how the Productivity Commission defines these terms along with related concepts such as cost effectiveness and productivity.
Better Indigenous policies: The role of evaluation
30 / 04 / 2013
The Commission held a roundtable on Better Indigenous Policies: The Role of Evaluation at Old Parliament House in Canberra on 22-23 October.
Forms of work in Australia
23 / 04 / 2013
This paper analyses how the prevalence of different forms of work has changed in Australia, with a particular focus on the decade to 2011, and considers why those changes might have occurred.
Trends in the distribution of income in Australia
27 / 03 / 2013
This staff working paper examines trends to 2009-10 in Australia's distribution of incomes and factors that help explain these trends.
Productivity perspectives 2012
21 / 02 / 2013
The Productivity Commission and the Australian Bureau of Statistics held a one-day productivity conference in Canberra on 20th November 2012. The conference provided an overview of productivity trends and a range of productivity measurement, analytical and policy issues.
COAG's Regulatory and Competition Reform Agenda: A high level assessment of the gains
03 / 08 / 2012
The Productivity Commission was requested to conduct a 'preliminary high-level review' of sixteen areas of reform identified by COAG at its April 2012 meeting. The Commission's paper was provided on 29 June 2012 to the cross jurisdictional Taskforce established to advise COAG on the development of a National Productivity Compact between governments and business associations.
Benchmarking in federal systems
24 / 07 / 2012
The Commission held a Roundtable on A 'Sustainable' Population?- Key Policy Issues, at Old Parliament House in Canberra on 21-22 March 2011. The proceedings of the roundtable were released in July 2011.
Australia's productivity growth slump: Signs of crisis, adjustment or both?
19 / 04 / 2012
This paper by visiting researcher Dean Parham was released on 19 April 2012.
Productivity in electricity, gas and water: Measurement and interpretation
04 / 04 / 2012
This staff working paper examines productivity trends in the Australian utilities industry and highlights some significant issues relating to the measurement and interpretation of changes in measured productivity over time.
Influences on Indigenous labour market outcomes
05 / 12 / 2011
This staff working paper examines factors that potentially influence Indigenous.
Multifactor productivity growth cycles at the industry level
21 / 07 / 2011
This paper examines multifactor productivity growth cycles at the industry level in Australia and the considerable variation in these cycles across industries and the market sector.
A 'sustainable' population? - Key policy issues
01 / 07 / 2011
The Commission held a Roundtable on A 'Sustainable' Population?- Key Policy Issues, at Old Parliament House in Canberra on 21-22 March 2011. The proceedings of the roundtable were released in July 2011.
Sustainable Population Strategy Taskforce
06 / 05 / 2011
Submission made by the Productivity Commission to the Taskforce on the Sustainable Population Strategy for Australia.
Rural Research and Development Council
28 / 02 / 2011
Productivity Commission Submission to the Rural Research and Development Council.
Labour force participation of women over 45
17 / 01 / 2011
This paper explores how mature aged women have greatly increased their participation in paid employment over the past three decades.
Childhood obesity: An economic perspective
25 / 10 / 2010
This paper analyses the issue of childhood obesity within an economic policy framework. It also reviews the evidence of trends in obesity in children and provides an overview of recent and planned childhood obesity preventative health programs.
Links between literacy and numeracy skills and labour market outcomes
20 / 10 / 2010
This paper analyses data from a 2006 survey on the literacy and numeracy skills of the Australian adult population.
Investments in intangible assets and Australia's productivity growth: Sectoral estimates
14 / 10 / 2010
This paper extends previous work on intangibles by applying an experimental method to two key industry sectors within the Australian economy.