This productivity commission report looks into the new changes to superannuation funds in award wages. Australia’s three-pillar retirement income policy comprises a means-tested and government-funded age pension, supported by both voluntary saving and compulsory superannuation contributions. Superannuation effectively became compulsory in 1992 with the introduction of the superannuation guarantee. This guarantee now requires employers to...

This article looks at funding arrangements with government agencies, that are constant and complex concerns for the community sector. Myles McGregor-Lowndes and Amanda McBratney show in this three page article how the Productivity Commmission has found some early answers that should not go on the backburner. The Productivity Commission clearly established that all is not...

In November 2011, the COAG Standing Council on Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment (SCOTESE) agreed to a National Foundation Skills Strategy for Adults (the National Strategy). Australian governments have worked in partnership to develop the National Strategy, a 10 year strategy built around a shared vision for a productive and inclusive Australia in which adults...

This report looks into barriers faced by mature age Australians in the workplace or looking for a job, and the development of recommendations to overcome these barriers. Increasing mature age labour force participation is a key strategy open to policy makers to address the economic implications of Australia’s ageing population. Encouragingly, Australia’s level of mature...

This report sets out a vision agreed by all governments in Australia to build and support the early childhood education and care profession both in the short term and into the future. The Australian Government has worked with states and territories to develop the national Early Years Workforce Strategy. Focusing on the skills and attributes...