A Master Plan for Australia

Duncan Ironmonger’s article A Master Plan for Australia, published in The Bulletin (1975), is a fascinating look into Australia’s economic history, with themes that still resonate today.

Published 14 Oct 2025

Monthly Inflation Gauge and Cost of Living report

The Melbourne Institute Monthly Inflation Gauge recorded an increase in monthly inflation for September, primarily influenced by higher recreation and transport related prices. The monthly cost of living also rose. Annual headline inflation lies at the top-end of the 2-3 per cent target band.

Published 06 Oct 2025

When a partner has a health shock, our study shows what happens to work, chores and fun

A serious illness or injury to a family member is more than a medical crisis. It’s a health shock that triggers a ripple effect, forcing families to make difficult trade-offs with their time and money.

Published 29 Sep 2025

Australia’s largest export industry facing existential threat

Distribution of green iron subsidies needs to be strategic otherwise it risks encouraging rent-seekers.

Published 29 Sep 2025

For those serious about boosting productivity

When productivity is mentioned, most discussion centres around lowering taxes or changing the tax mix. History suggests, however, that floating the dollar, lowering tariffs and the Hilmer National Competition Policy (NCP) reforms had the biggest impact on Australia's productivity revolution from the 1990s to mid-2000s which saw productivity growth average over 2 per cent per annum.

Published 23 Sep 2025

Emitters should pay the price of energy transition; not consumers

What should we make of last Thursday’s announcement by Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen of Australia’s target for emissions reduction and the pathways to achieve this?

Published 23 Sep 2025

Manufacturing is about quality and robots – not cheap wages

It is a myth that manufacturing can only thrive in low wage environments.

Published 23 Sep 2025

Fewer friends, more time stress: the essential charts from this year’s HILDA survey

So, what are the highlights from the 2025 report? The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, released today, reveals trends on a wide range of aspects of life in Australia, including household relationships, income, health and wellbeing.

Published 19 Sep 2025

Australians are losing more of their income to tax than in decades, new report shows

While Australians currently face the highest average tax rates seen since the HILDA Survey started in 2001, the trend in that time hasn’t always been upwards.

Published 19 Sep 2025

Australians are in more pain – and our new data shows it’s not just due to ageing

Pain is a serious public health issue and can have devastating consequences for individuals, affecting their ability to have fulfilling relationships, work or look after kids.

Published 19 Sep 2025

1 in 3 Australians in their late 60s are still working, new HILDA survey shows

The decision to retire is no longer driven purely by personal preference or age alone. It’s increasingly shaped by policy, housing wealth, super balances and whether someone can afford to stop working.

Published 19 Sep 2025

Cut emissions 70% by 2035? There’s only one policy that can get us there

Unfortunately, the government’s new and existing policies don’t seem up to the task of meeting the 43% by 2030 target, let alone the new 62–70% cuts five years later.

Published 19 Sep 2025

HILDA 2025 – Insights into a changing Australia

The 2025 Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey Report has been released today.

Published 19 Sep 2025

We can’t fix what we don’t track. That’s why Australia needs an official poverty measure

We’ve found if Australia tracked poverty properly, we’d likely find out not only how many Australians are struggling, but also why. This insight can help governments, business and the community to formulate better responses.

Published 08 Sep 2025

Industry and Society

2025 Downing Public Lecture presented by Professor Jens Ludwig

Professor Jens Ludwig presented the 2025 Downing Lecture, outlining "behavioural economics 2.0", which uses big data to offer personalised guidance on individual decision-making.

Published 02 Sep 2025

Renewed call to measure and address poverty in Australia

Researchers have called for a new national poverty measure to capture the multifaceted nature of deprivation, to better address poverty and inform policy decisions.

Published 02 Sep 2025

Welcoming Rod Sims AO: Championing climate action and productivity

We are pleased to announce that Rod Sims AO has joined the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research as an esteemed Enterprise Professor.

Published 29 Aug 2025

Reshaping Australia’s healthcare systems in the age of AI

A recent panel discussion featuring experts with multidisciplinary backgrounds has highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing key challenges for Australia's healthcare system.

Published 28 Aug 2025

Many parents – mostly mothers – lose family payments from the first dollar they earn. Here’s how we could fix it

The current family tax benefits system is outdated and unfair for families navigating work and care responsibilities. Simplifying family payments would encourage paid work, while aligning with past parental leave pay and childcare policy changes. This will make life easier for Australia’s working families and contribute to productivity to benefit us all.

Published 15 Aug 2025

Private health insurers want to fund more out-of-hospital care. But the Productivity Commission has other ideas

Here’s why the Productivity Commission made the right call about private health insurers and what would have happened if they had their way.

Published 14 Aug 2025