The Productivity Commission's latest report, Annual Review of Regulatory Burdens on Business: Social and Economic Infrastructure Services Sector – identifies ways to reduce the regulatory burdens on businesses in aged care, health, child care, education, information media and...

The mutual recognition schemes linking Australian states and territories and New Zealand have contributed to the creation of a seamless national economy in Australia and a single economic market across the Tasman, according to a report by the Productivity Commission. This, and other findings are...

The commissioned study research report into the ‘Economic Implications of an Ageing Australia’ was released April 2005. The Commission found that one quarter of Australians will be aged 65 years or more by 2044-45, roughly double the present proportion. This gives rise to significant policy...

The Productivity Commission’s research report into ‘Public Support for Science and Innovation’ was released March 2007. The Australian Government asked the Commission to evaluate the economic, social and environmental returns on this investment. The main message from the Commission’s...

The research report, Battery Eggs Sale and Production in the ACT, was released in November 1998. The report contains the findings of the Productivity Commission's commissioned study. The report examines the effectiveness of the ACT legislation banning of the production, sale of battery eggs and...

Geographical isolation and sound quarantine procedures have protected Australia's agricultural industries from major animal diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). However, the Commonwealth Government as part of its planning and preparedness for a possible FMD outbreak asked the...

In August 2002, the Commission was asked to look at the economic and social importance of the different industries in the Great Barrier Reef and its catchment. The Commission also would evaluate the costs and benefits of actions to address declining water quality which currently threatens the...

'Pastoral Leases and Non-Pastoral Land Use' was released on 5 July 2002. The paper reviews pastoral lease arrangements across jurisdictions in Australia and the extent to which these affect the emergence of non-pastoral land uses. Some comparisons are also made with pastoral lease arrangements...

'Constraints on Private Conservation of Biodiversity' was released on 18 July 2001. Conserving biodiversity is essential to maintain ecosystems to support life. It is also important for a range of economic, social and cultural reasons. However, biodiversity is under threat from a range of...

'Creating Markets for Ecosystem Services' by Greg Murtough, Barbara Aretino and Anna Matysek, was released on 19 June 2002. The paper investigates how well environmental problems related to salinity, biodiversity and climate change can be addressed by creating markets for ecosystem services. The...