Think your specialist is expensive? Look at what others are paying

Seeing a medical specialist can leave you with significant out-of-pocket costs. Yet political parties have not adequately addressed this in their pre-election bids.

Published 14 Apr 2025

Monthly Inflation Gauge and Cost of Living report

The Melbourne Institute Monthly Inflation Gauge recorded an increase in monthly inflation during March, primarily influenced by price rises for recreation and culture.  The increase in monthly inflation was largely offset by price falls for food and non-alcoholic beverages. The monthly cost of living also increased for each of the five selected household types (age pensioners, pensioners and beneficiaries and other government transfer recipients). Despite the increase, annual headline inflation remains with the 2-3 per cent target band.

Published 31 Mar 2025

The rate of sports betting has surged more than 57% – and younger people are betting more

There’s an urgent need to protect younger Australians, and in particular men, at greatest risk of gambling harm. Here is one effective way this can be achieved, writes Dr Ferdi Botha for The Conversation.

Published 18 Mar 2025

We tracked the mental health of trans and gender-diverse Australians for over 20 years. And we’re worried

The mental health of trans, nonbinary and gender-diverse Australians is suffering and getting worse, writes Dr Karinna Saxby for The Conversation.

Published 13 Mar 2025

Economics

Could we be entering a new era in women’s health funding?

By listening to women’s voices and investing in targeted research, Australia is taking important steps towards creating a more equitable healthcare system, writes Martina Repetto for Pursuit.

Published 12 Mar 2025

HILDA data shows income inequality is at a 20-year high

With data from 2001 to 2022, in this year’s report we looked at issues including income inequality, household chores, and the impact of natural disasters on Australian households.

Published 11 Mar 2025

Could we be entering a new era in women’s health funding?

By listening to women’s voices and investing in targeted research, Australia is taking important steps towards creating a more equitable healthcare system.

Published 11 Mar 2025

Life for single-parent families in Australia is harsh

The daily routine of a single parent can be harsh due to higher child care responsibilities, housing stress, financial inequalities and poorer mental health, finds the latest HILDA Survey.

Published 11 Mar 2025

Australia’s weather-related disasters are getting costlier

The number of Australian homes damaged or destroyed by weather-related disasters is now the highest in ten years, shows the annual HILDA survey.

Published 11 Mar 2025

It’s getting easier to become a problem gambler in Australia

When it comes to gambling, Australia isn’t such a lucky country with the number of problem gamblers losing money on the rise, finds the latest HILDA survey.

Published 11 Mar 2025

The gap between the haves and have-nots in Australia is at a 20-year high

During the past two decades, inequality has grown to reach an all-time high and the current cost-of-living crisis isn’t helping, finds the latest HILDA survey.

Published 11 Mar 2025

Australians can wait at least 258 days for their first psychiatry appointment, our new study shows

Australians are waiting longer and longer for their first psychiatry appointment, especially outside major cities, write Professor Yuting Zhang and Dr Ou Yang for The Conversation.

Published 27 Feb 2025

The major parties want 9 in 10 GP visits bulk billed by 2030. Here’s why we shouldn’t aim for 100%

The evidence suggests there’s benefit to getting those on higher incomes to contribute a small amount to the cost of seeing a GP, write Professor Yuting Zhang and Dr Karinna Saxby for The Conversation.

Published 26 Feb 2025

Seven common myths about modern money

Money is important but widely misunderstood. Here are seven hard-to-bust misconceptions about modern money that might surprise you, writes Professor Stuart Kells for The Conversation.

Published 05 Feb 2025

Should we aim to bulk-bill everyone for GP visits? We asked five experts

Read Professor Yuting Zhang's response via The Conversation.

Published 20 Jan 2025

Melbourne Institute’s Inflation Gauge Reinforces Outlook for RBA Rate Reductions in 2025

Expert economists agree that the RBA should not cut interest rates in February.

Published 14 Jan 2025

Our analysis of wealth trends suggests Australia's middle class may be 'shrinking'

There are growing concerns about wealth inequality in Australia and what it means for people’s ability to get ahead. For many, home ownership has become a pipe dream. Huge numbers of Australians now feel the cards are increasingly stacked against them.

Published 20 Dec 2024

Should we cut interest rates?

This issue impacts all Australians who have been grappling with the cost of living in the current high-inflation environment.

Published 19 Dec 2024

Maintaining momentum in defining and measuring poverty in Australia

It is nothing short of alarming that, despite Australia’s status as one of the world’s wealthiest countries, poverty rates in Australia have remained relatively unchanged for almost 25 years.

Published 02 Dec 2024

Economics

Watch: 2024 Freebairn Public Lecture

Professor Renée Fry-McKibbin, Australian National University, presented the 2024 Freebairn Public Lecture at the University of Melbourne on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

Published 28 Nov 2024