This report calls for more action to be taken to address Australia’s shortage of aged care workers. The solution to the shortage is multifaceted. The report provides five recommendations, including that the Federal Government introduce an essential skills visa for occupations facing severe and ongoing worker shortages in the care sector, starting with aged care.

Australia, like many developed countries, is experiencing a significant decline in its total fertility rate. The First Child Tax Refund and the Baby Bonus policies aimed to reduce the financial cost of childbearing, with the Baby Bonus designed to encourage higher fertility. This note examines the effects of these financial incentives on fertility outcomes.

Australia’s reliance on incarceration for a wide range of offences has come at a significant financial cost to taxpayers while failing to improve community safety. This report outlines the cost of prisons, trends in incarnation, the incarceration of non-violent offenders and recommendations for reform. It finds the reliance on incarcerating non-violent offenders is straining prison...

The focus of this book chapter is on how leaders and executives can improve their strategic decision-making around staff resourcing to foster work opportunities for people with disabilities and also support strategic business objectives. It outlines evidence-based strategies for disability inclusion.

An investigation of the underlying drivers of recent cost growth in Australian public hospital services. The report identifies several key cost growth factors and provides nine recommendations for consideration by the Board of Treasurers to inform ongoing negotiations on the next five-year National Health Reform Agreement expected to commence in July 2026.