This RIRDC publication examines one of Australia's most pressing economic problems - a shortage of labour. Without adequate supplies of labour, the economic and social functions of businesses are restricted, and the capacity for expansion reduced. Industries and communities within rural Australia have been particularly hard hit by labour shortages, with many small and medium...

Information and communications technologies (ICT) have been increasingly integrated into the delivery of many public and commercial services including banking, health, education and social security assistance. They have also become an important medium for social interaction and can help reduce the sense of isolation of people in remote communities. Adequate access to ICT infrastructure, a...

This report focuses on a comprehensive range of health issues concerning people living in regional and remote Australia. This report focuses on a comprehensive range of health issues concerning people living in regional and remote Australia. It includes information relating to health system performance (such as health service usage and supply of health workers) and...

There are numerous mines that are either planned or are under construction throughout Australia in what have, until now, been regions dominated by broadacre agriculture. While these mining ventures bring new jobs, infrastructure, people and opportunities to their host community, it is usually the case that the management of the social dimension of economic change...

This working paper touches on some of the predominant benefits, costs and tensions associated with the arrival of Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation as identified through in-depth interviews with over sixty ‘premine’ Shire of Ravensthorpe residents.