Grattan Institute

What is productivity? And how might it affect your future work? 🤔

Find out with Trent Wiltshire in this short podcast explainer from Hack. buff.ly/usD0Bi3 #auspol

Look to classrooms for a productivity boost - Grattan Institute In the long run, brain power drives economic growth.

There’s a straightforward way to boost productivity in Australia.

But if you're thinking high-tech, think again... buff.ly/0gyqnuX #auspol

A photo of a woman charging an electric vehicle with the text Australia: we need to talk about carbon pricing.

Australia: we need to talk about carbon pricing.

@reevealison.bsky.social explains why. buff.ly/urjnmah #auspol

Hi Kat, we're a domestic policy think tank, so we don't comment on defence or international program spending. Our key research areas are on economic growth and security, health, climate and energy, disability, housing, and education. Hope that helps clarify our comments.

Grading the 2025 NAPLAN results - Podcast The 2025 NAPLAN results are in. But what do they reveal about the state of education in Australia?

The 2025 NAPLAN results are in. But what do they reveal about the state of education in Australia?

Find out on our latest podcast with Amy Haywood and Molly Chapman. buff.ly/aM86hg3 #NAPLAN

Specialist fee shock is a thing - Grattan Institute Specialist fee shock is a thing. It’s time to rein in the outliers. Here’s how.

One million Australians skip or delay specialist care each year because of the cost.

It's time to rein in exorbitant specialist fees. Here's how. buff.ly/cYGXavi #auspol

Job ad for an Administration Officer with the text: Our ideal candidate: - Effective communicator with strong writing skills and good people skills, including over the telephone; - Highly competent computer skills and confidence using technology; - Demonstrated ability to effectively prioritise workloads in a fast-paced environment; - Works collaboratively with staff across all levels of an organisation; - Confidence to work with a level of autonomy on a variety of tasks, and sees opportunities to take initiative; - Ready and willing to learn how to use new types of software programs; Organised, with attention to detail and a drive for high-quality work.

We’re hiring for an Administration Officer! Join our friendly Central Services team providing support for Grattan’s office and media operations.

Apply before 17 August at Ethical Jobs: buff.ly/xemQr1F

How to boost energy productivity - Grattan Institute We’ve never had the capacity to use storage to balance electricity supply and demand – until now.

We’ve never had the capacity to use storage to balance electricity supply and demand – until now.

Here’s what governments should do. buff.ly/85efSl9 #auspol @tonyrwood.bsky.social

Chart showing that without change super will become a taxpayer-subsidised inheritance scheme

Super should be on the tax reform table. Here's why. buff.ly/XLG2mEX #auspol

A chart showing growth in average out-of-pocket costs has exceeded growth in inflation and wages

Extreme specialist fees aren’t due to problems with government funding.

Here’s how to rein in costs – for better patient care. buff.ly/lZhVnXA

The gas no-brainer - Grattan Institute Australia has enough gas to be a major exporter. It should be able to supply domestic needs at a reasonable price.

While we’re exporting gas, we better make sure that we have enough for domestic supply as well. buff.ly/sBPBnRv #auspol @tonyrwood.bsky.social

A graphic of an ammonia plant with the text on top 'What's hampering hydrogen?'

Green hydrogen is one of the best options to reduce carbon emissions from some industrial processes. But there are 5 things stopping Australia’s hydrogen dream from becoming a reality, writes @reevealison.bsky.social. buff.ly/YGtM55g #auspol

A chart showing that after secondary consultation, most cases can be managed by GPs

Across the world, GPs can get secure, text-based advice from specialists. These systems resolve 70-90% of cases in primary care without needing a referral.

That's why it's time to put specialist advice on every GP’s desktop, writes Peter Breadon. buff.ly/GWxDge6 #auspol

Graphic promoting Grattan Academy with a photo of a man with a beard working at a computer.

Sign up now for Grattan Academy! 📚💡

The Grattan Academy program for the second half of 2025 is now live. With two courses to elevate your policy skills, this is a training opportunity you won’t want to miss.

For more information visit: buff.ly/Co2AeH3

The NDIS has a targeting problem - Grattan Institute Lots of people who need support get nothing, yet many who get onto the scheme are poorly served by it.

The NDIS has a targeting problem.

Lots of people who need support get nothing, yet many on the scheme are poorly served by it. Sam Bennett explains how to fix it - without additional spending.

Beware the classic industry policy trap - Grattan Institute We worry about the government ‘picking winners’. But the bigger worry is losers picking the government.

We worry about the government ‘picking winners’. But the bigger worry is losers picking the government. @reevealison.bsky.social writes:

Australia’s Big Three health policy challenges - Grattan Institute We need to stop disease before it starts, fix primary care, and make public hospitals more productive.

Australia is facing 3 big health policy challenges.

@peterbreadon.bsky.social and Elizabeth Baldwin explain how to address these issues. buff.ly/95yiCCf #auspol

How to better support all disabled Australians - Grattan Institute Australia is spending more than ever on disability services, yet many people still don’t get the support they need.

Australia is spending more than ever on disability services, yet many people still don’t get the support they need.

Here's how to better support all disabled Australians. buff.ly/MDpTMRw #auspol

At last, some good news on the NDIS - Grattan Institute Governments can fix its problems – without spending any extra money.

At last, some good news on the NDIS. Governments can fix its problems – without spending any extra money.

How to save the NDIS without spending more - Grattan Institute It’s worth saving. Here’s how to do it.

The NDIS is worth saving. Here’s how to do it. buff.ly/rUSqweC

Saving the NDIS: How to rebalance disability services to get better results The NDIS has grown too big too fast, and its future is now at stake. Here’s how to save it – without spending more money.

11/ Our blueprint would save billions while providing foundational supports within the existing budget.

The NDIS is vital. It must be saved. Our report by @samhbenn, Mia Jessurun, and @HannahOrban7 shows how. buff.ly/EFAAlkw

Chart showing a structured governance model for a better NDIS.

10/ And fourth, Australia needs a new National Disability Agreement, to clarify the relationship between all aspects of the disability policy landscape and to facilitate cooperation and greater accountability between governments.

Chart showing a proposal for funding general foundational supports out of existing funding

9/ Third, governments should finally establish a strong tier of foundational supports to ensure disabled people get appropriate supports when and where they need them.

Under our plan, the existing NDIS budget would be used to fund foundational supports.

8/ Second, the way the NDIS manages claims needs to change so funding is allocated fairly and consistently.

People should have more choice and flexibility in how they use their NDIS funding.

7/ First, the NDIS needs firmer boundaries so it is clear who the scheme is for and what needs it is intended to meet.

6/ Without further bold policy decisions, governments risk hitting the target but missing the point.

Here are four major policy changes that can help save the NDIS.

Chart showing operational performance has tanked since September 2023.

5/ While the NDIS growth rate has started to moderate, a downturn in operational performance is very likely a contributing factor.

The NDIS is groaning under the weight of unsustainable work volumes, with assessment wait times being pushed out past guaranteed timeframes.

4/ The problem is, there’s often nowhere else for people with disability to get support.

And most disabled Australians don't qualify for the NDIS.

It’s all or nothing: you either get an NDIS package, or you get minimal services.

Chart showing there are far more children in the NDIS scheme than originally expected

3/ In 2011, the Productivity Commission estimated a mature NDIS would serve 490,000 people.

In fact, the scheme is now supporting more than 700,000 people and that number is projected to pass a million by 2034.

Chart showing NDIS spending is growing much faster than other government social care spending

2/ The NDIS cost nearly $42 billion in 2023-24 and is expected to cost more than $58 billion by 2028.

It grew by about 24% a year on average from 2019-20 to 2023-24 and is now one of the biggest pressures on the federal budget.