In Focus
Match fit: Reinvigorating competition in Australia
Australia’s productivity has stalled, threatening living standards and future prosperity. This paper calls for bold reform to reignite competition the...
September 2026 | Research Report
States and territories are spending $12 billion this year on concessions and cost-of-living support. But is that support reaching the households that need it most?
Our latest report finds that the current approach is costly, complex and unfair, and proposes a simpler and fairer approach.
What we research
At Policy Institute Australia, we focus on the big levers of national prosperity, looking at ways to use market-oriented solutions, smart incentives, effective government and a dynamic private sector to drive long term, sustainable economic growth.
Our work is solutions-oriented, not just analysis for its own sake. Every project is designed to move beyond problem diagnosis into actionable reform. We are non-partisan, evidence-led and independent, and research and test ideas on their merit.
By combining rigorous research with market-informed insight, we develop and advocate for reforms that create measurable economic and social impact to unlock prosperity, equity, and opportunity for Australians across generations.
From analysis to action
Our research tackles Australia’s most complex economic challenges with rigour and pragmatism. We go beyond identifying problems to deliver actionable reforms that strengthen prosperity, equity, and opportunity.
Insights, news, and commentary
New Policy Institute Australia research featured in The Age finds that billions of dollars in state government concessions and cost-of-living support are flowing to higher-income households. The article highlights PIA analysis showing that in Victoria, the wealthiest 20 per cent of households received more than $207 million from vehicle registration discounts, compared with $100 million […]
New Policy Institute Australia research featured in The Age finds that billions of dollars in state government concessions and cost-of-living support are flowing to higher-income households. The article highlights PIA analysis showing that in Victoria, the wealthiest 20 per cent of households received more than $207 million from vehicle registration discounts, compared with $100 million […]
New Policy Institute Australia research featured in The Age finds that billions of dollars in state government concessions and cost-of-living support are flowing to higher-income households. The article highlights PIA analysis showing that in Victoria, the wealthiest 20 per cent of households received more than $207 million from vehicle registration discounts, compared with $100 million […]
Hit and miss: State and territory governments across Australia will fund around $12 billion of concessions and cost-of-living support to households this year. This support comes from a patchwork of programs, built up over decades, that has become a complicated, costly and inequitable system of household support. Together, the support is equivalent to around $1,100 for every Australian household, or up to 10% of tax revenue collected by the states. In some states, the support is equivalent to all gambling revenue or up to one-third of stamp duty revenue.
The Australian editorial argues that better means testing is essential to ensure government support is directed to Australians who need it most. It endorses Policy Institute Australia’s proposal to reform pensions, aged care, childcare and parental leave, saying the changes could save up to $21 billion a year while improving the fairness and sustainability of […]
Australian taxpayers are set to fund $2.7 billion in combined paid parental leave and childcare subsidies for households with incomes above $300,000 in the next financial year, according to Policy Institute Australia.
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