Australian Productivity Commission

01/06/2026

🏘️How do existing rules around housing limit the supply of new homes?
🏗️What reforms should governments prioritise to get more homes built quickly?

The PC wants to hear from people, businesses, organisations and governments interested in or affected by regulations that affect the supply of new housing.

We welcome data, case studies and evidence on which rules cause the biggest problems and costs, what the greatest priorities should be and examples of where reform has made a difference.
Find out more and share your insights: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries-and-research/housing-supply/call/

We will be gathering more detailed views and submissions, including via a survey, later in the inquiry. Watch this space for more opportunities to contribute.

This paper outlines the focus of the inquiry and identifies a range of issues on which the PC seeks information and feedback.

29/05/2026

Help inform our research | Business dynamism is the processes of change among firms – including business set up, expansion, contraction, change of ownership and closure.

The PC has been asked to identify options for reducing barriers to business dynamism to promote innovation, productivity growth and Australia’s international competitiveness.

We want to hear from individuals, businesses and business groups that have an interest in or experience with, starting, growing, restructuring, passing on or closing a business. We would also like to hear your perspectives on Australia’s insolvency frameworks.

Help inform our interim report recommendations by sharing any evidence on priority areas for this inquiry and any other barriers to starting, changing, or closing a business in Australia.

Find out more and share your thoughts:

The Productivity Commission is seeking views on barriers to business dynamism in Australia, including obstacles to starting, growing, transferring and closing businesses.

29/05/2026

The commitment governments have made under Priority Reform Three requires resetting government systems, culture and decision-making processes to be more responsive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations and communities.
Many government organisations are already transforming in this way.
Read their stories: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries-and-research/transforming-government/

Artwork by LaToya Kennedy Kalari Art

28/05/2026

New inquiry | The government has asked the PC to look into the rules and regulations impacting housing supply and recommend reforms to get more homes built more quickly.

We have previously found that regulation adds an estimated $135,000 to $320,000 to the cost of the average new house, and $40,000 to $175,000 to the cost of the average new unit.

This inquiry will make recommendations to support simpler, faster approvals and make more land available and ready to build on. We have also been asked to assess state and territory reform efforts, the economic benefits of reforms and chart a course for implementation.

Read more about the scope of this inquiry: https://bit.ly/4nWvdnx
Call for submissions and comments from stakeholders coming soon. Subscribe on our website to receive email updates.

The Productivity Commission has been asked to examine how regulations across all levels of government can be improved to speed up delivery of new housing and boost construction productivity.

28/05/2026

Priority Reform Three of the National Agreement (PR3) commits public servants to shift business-as usual structures, processes and practices to adopt new ways of working that are grounded in listening, learning and acting in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
To support and activate this commitment, the PC has drawn on research, engagements and case studies to put together a guide for public servants on what they can do to transform now: https://bit.ly/4uJMi6z
Drawing on examples of good practice, this guide provides practical advice for public servants to understand their capability to drive transformation.

Artwork by LaToya Kennedy Kalari Art (www.kalariart.com.au)

26/05/2026

National Reconciliation Week 2026 starts today with the theme - All In, a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to every single day. This week, we explore the commitment governments have made to change how they work with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through resources on Priority Reform Three - Transforming Government Organisations under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

In this chat with PC Chair Danielle Wood, former Australian Public Services Commissioner, Dr Gordon de Brouwer, shares his insights on transforming government engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the SES 100 initiative and ‘giving up control’ for better community outcomes: https://bit.ly/3S1mRid

Artwork by LaToya Kennedy Kalari Art (www.kalariart.com.au)

21/05/2026

The PC welcomed Treasurer Jim Chalmers to our Melbourne office yesterday where he spoke to staff about how our work had helped inform the Productivity Package in the recent budget.

19/05/2026

What are Priority Reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap?
The Priority Reforms are tangible actions to reshape how governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations and communities to develop and deliver policy. They recognise that a different way of working is needed to close the gap in life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
In 2020, all Australian governments, in partnership with the Coalition of Peaks, committed to these reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

📊 The Priority Reforms are a commitment to structural change, accountability and self-determination. They outline the systemic changes required to improve outcomes:
1️⃣ Formal partnerships & shared decision-making
2️⃣ A strong community-controlled sector
3️⃣ Government transformation
4️⃣ Shared access to data & information at a regional level


🔗 Read more: https://bit.ly/495tCFM

15/05/2026

In the Budget released earlier this week, the Government committed to scaling back the Fringe Benefit Tax exemption for electric vehicles from next year.
Read the PC's submission that supports phasing out the tax exemption in favour of more efficient ways to reduce emissions: https://bit.ly/4wmAvMR

This submission outlines why the Productivity Commission recommends phasing out the fringe benefits tax exemption for electric vehicles.