This note looks at the evolution of inflation over the last term of government, failures of wage growth to keep up with inflation, and what the major parties proposed in the 2025 federal election campaign to alleviate cost-of-living pressures. It suggests that structural changes are needed to provide long-term relief and to protect consumers from...

This report assesses the cost and offsetting financial benefits of implementing a universal reproductive health leave entitlement for Australian workers. The value of lost productivity cost from reproductive health conditions is estimated at $21.3 billion per year. The aggregate net cost of up to 12 days of leave is estimated to be $1.7 billion.

This report tracks trends in decent work in Australia over time, how the dimensions of decent work have contributed to these trends, and how decent work varies by industry and demographics. The report puts forward a framework for conceptualising decent work.

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the evolving nature of part-time work, examining its relevance to the future of work and exploring the potential for more fluid and adaptable arrangements to better align with employee preferences. The report identifies a shift in how employees choose to engage in the workforce and calls on employers...

This report examines patterns and trends for different groups of households to better identify the risk factors and early signs of hardship, appropriate support to vulnerable consumers, and whether current safeguards are providing key factors that contribute to effective hardship policy and practice.