The Melbourne Institute is Australia’s pre-eminent economic and social policy research institution. Renowned for developing longitudinal research tools and using data to build an evidence base for reform, the Institute has been powering effective change for more than 50 years.
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Research Publications
The Melbourne Institute’s academic staff are active researchers, publishing their findings in books and leading Australian and international journals.
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Working Papers
The Melbourne Institute Working Papers Series presents the results of research projects undertaken by our academic staff.
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MI Policy Briefs
The Melbourne Institute Policy Briefs Series presents research undertaken by our academic staff on topics relevant to contemporary economic and social policy.
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Australian Economic Review
The Australian Economic Review is a peer-reviewed, applied economics journal that publishes high quality articles applying economic analysis to a wide range of macro and microeconomic topics relevant to issues in economics and social policy.
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Macroeconomic Reports
The Melbourne Institute measures a variety of macroeconomic indicators, from the drivers of economic growth to the sentiments underpinning the nation’s economic outlook.
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Social Indicator Reports
The Melbourne Institute measures a range of social indicators, from household expenditure to individual and social well-being.
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Books
The Melbourne Institute’s academic staff write and contribute to high-quality research texts that explore a variety of issues in economic and social policy.
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HILDA Statistical Reports
Key research findings from current and past releases of the HILDA Survey.
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HILDA Survey Publications
An extensive bibliography of all Australian and international research publications known to use or reference data from the HILDA Survey.
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MABEL Publications
Publications and results from MABEL, Australia's national longitudinal survey of doctors.
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Universitas 21 Rankings
Assessment and ranking of 50 of the world's higher education systems.
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Poverty Lines
Poverty Lines: Australia is a quarterly newsletter that updates the Henderson Poverty Line as defined in the 1973 Commonwealth Commission of Inquiry into Poverty.
Melbourne Institute Publications Brochure
To receive news and information via email about any of the Melbourne Institute’s free publications, please join our mailing list.
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HILDA Survey
The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey is a household-based panel study that collects valuable information about economic and personal well-being, labour market dynamics and family life.
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CASiE Survey
The Consumer Attitudes, Sentiments and Expectations in Australia Survey, known as CASiE, is a monthly survey of Australian households across the nation. CASiE provides valuable and timely signals about consumer perceptions of the state of the economy.
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Journeys Home Survey
Journeys Home: A Longitudinal Study of Factors Affecting Housing Stability was a national survey of Australians who were either homeless or at high risk of becoming homeless.
Melbourne Institute News
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Melbourne Institute and UQ collaborate to evaluate $96m government fund
Researchers at the Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR) at The University of Queensland and the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research are to partner on a $3.7 million contract evaluating the Department of Social Services’ Try, Test and Learn (TTL) Fund.
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Australian Economic Review: March 2018
Investments outside of Australia’s mining industry, income inequality in New Zealand, and macroeconomic policies post GFC are among the issues highlighted in the new Australian Economic Review.
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The grim cycle of homelessness and unemployment
For many homeless people, the problem isn’t finding a job, it’s keeping it.
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The Australians stuck below the poverty line
While most Australians who encounter poverty only do so for a short period, new research shows more people experience persistent poverty than previously thought.
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The Melbourne Institute is Australia’s pre-eminent economic and social policy research institution. It undertakes high quality, independent and impartial applied research, and contributes to the development of public policy in Australia.
Established in 1962, the Institute provides high calibre, peer-reviewed levels of research to government, business and community groups. It is internationally renowned for its HILDA and MABEL Surveys, as well as its measurement of economic and social indicators.
Our Mission
As Australia’s leading applied economics and social policy research centre, the Melbourne Institute’s mission is to:
- Undertake and publish high-quality academic research on major economic and social policy issues affecting contemporary Australia
- Foster informed discussion and debate on domestic public policy
- Provide highly valued research services, publications and datasets to government, business and community groups
- Become internationally renowned for its expertise and contributions to international research, and
- Provide quality research training through an internationally recognised PhD program.
To find out more about the Melbourne Institute and its contributions to economic and social policy in Australia, visit our history page.
Advisory Board
The Melbourne Institute Advisory Board provides strategic advice on the successful operation of the Institute, with particular focus on research and engagement.
Meeting at regular intervals, board members use their in-depth knowledge of industry and policy to ensure that the Melbourne Institute remains the world’s leading research centre on economic and social policy in Australia.
Doctoral Program in Economics
The Melbourne Institute offers an internationally recognised, four-year doctoral program through the Department of Economics at the University of Melbourne.
The program is designed for students with prior training in economics who wish to acquire the advanced skills needed to practise as a professional economist in the public or private sectors.
Students undertake a substantial mix of coursework and research throughout the program, and have the opportunity to complete a Doctor of Philosophy in a wide range of specialisations.
Further information about the Economics Doctoral Program is available from the Faculty of Business and Economics.
Membership
The Melbourne Institute offers annual membership to its Economic Forums, which provide access to the most recent independent and authoritative economic research and analysis.
Presented by leading experts from universities, governments and the community sector, the Melbourne Institute’s Economic Forums explore some of the many economic and social policy issues facing Australia today.
To find out more, visit our Membership page.
Research partnerships
The Melbourne Institute has significant experience providing a broad range of applied research services, from statistical and quantitative analyses to the evaluation of existing research.
Working closely with partners in government, industry and community organisations, the Institute explores a variety of issues in economic and social policy, in order to inform policy development and provide insights that improve programs, practice and service delivery.
Our partners
The Melbourne Institute’s research partners include:
- Department of Social Services, Australian Government (HILDA Survey and Journeys Home Survey)
- Brotherhood of St Laurence
- Sacred Heart Mission
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course
- Department of Employment, Australian Government (Social Policy Research Services)
- National Centre for Vocational Education Research (National VET Research and Evaluation Program), and
- Department of Education and Training, Victoria (Research and Evaluation projects).
Visiting researchers
The Melbourne Institute is delighted to host leading Australian and international researchers throughout the year, as part of our extensive visitor program.
Visiting academics collaborate with Melbourne Institute staff on specific topics of investigation and present their research at seminars, workshops and conferences.
International linkages
The Melbourne Institute is a member of the worldwide National Economic Research Organisations network, known as NERO.
Facilitated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, NERO members exchange research findings, identify new areas of study and attend an annual conference.