Media Releases
New study reveals multi-billion dollar economic benefit of implementing universal reproductive leave in Australia
Giving workers the equivalent of one day of leave a month to care for their reproductive needs would mitigate the economic costs of reproductive health conditions, which are estimated to cost the Australian economy more than $21 billion per year,... Read article
Giving workers the equivalent of one day of leave a month to care for their reproductive needs would mitigate the economic costs of reproductive health conditions, which are estimated to cost the Australian economy more than $21 billion per year,... Read article
Young Australians demand action on mental health, cost of living and education reform: report
— Youth mental health concerns on the rise, particularly among young women– — Cost of living pressures now the top issue for young Australians — — Growing frustration over political inaction on climate change and education reform — A new... Read article
— Youth mental health concerns on the rise, particularly among young women– — Cost of living pressures now the top issue for young Australians — — Growing frustration over political inaction on climate change and education reform — A new... Read article
Boosting WA startups: Report calls for investment in talent, diversity and innovation
– WA trails behind other states in key innovation ecosystem metrics – – Overreliance on mining, energy and resources limits growth in emerging fields like AI – – Improving talent, gender diversity and access to capital can transform startup landscape... Read article
– WA trails behind other states in key innovation ecosystem metrics – – Overreliance on mining, energy and resources limits growth in emerging fields like AI – – Improving talent, gender diversity and access to capital can transform startup landscape... Read article
New report finds the changing nature of work provides new opportunities for workplace gender equality
– Part-time roles dropped by 3.2 percentage points in past two years – – A rise in flexible full-time and hybrid roles has enabled more employee choice – – Labour market is shifting, especially in women’s part-time and flexible work... Read article
– Part-time roles dropped by 3.2 percentage points in past two years – – A rise in flexible full-time and hybrid roles has enabled more employee choice – – Labour market is shifting, especially in women’s part-time and flexible work... Read article
Construction sector kickstart: calls for action on workforce, housing supply and sustainability to revive struggling industry
— High costs, labour shortages and demand putting pressure on the sector — — Up to 1.4 million spare bedrooms in WA highlights failure to use housing stock efficiently — — Calls for more ‘green’ construction, measures to attract workers... Read article
— High costs, labour shortages and demand putting pressure on the sector — — Up to 1.4 million spare bedrooms in WA highlights failure to use housing stock efficiently — — Calls for more ‘green’ construction, measures to attract workers... Read article
New report finds significant impact of China trade relationship on Australian households
A new report released by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) commissioned by the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) has quantified the economic impact of trade with China on Australian households. BCEC estimates that Australian trade with China increased disposable... Read article
A new report released by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) commissioned by the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) has quantified the economic impact of trade with China on Australian households. BCEC estimates that Australian trade with China increased disposable... Read article
Increasing disability employment could boost national economy by billions
— There is a widening employment gap between people with and without disability — — In 2022, only 53.1 per cent of people with work-limiting disability were employed, compared to 81.8 per cent of people without disability — — People... Read article
— There is a widening employment gap between people with and without disability — — In 2022, only 53.1 per cent of people with work-limiting disability were employed, compared to 81.8 per cent of people without disability — — People... Read article
New research finds significant economic impact of Chinese trade on Australian households
New research findings released by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) commissioned by the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) have quantified the economic impact of trade with China on Australian households. Using advanced economic modelling, the research estimates Australia’s trade... Read article
New research findings released by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) commissioned by the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) have quantified the economic impact of trade with China on Australian households. Using advanced economic modelling, the research estimates Australia’s trade... Read article
New report highlights wide disparity in Australian business’s gender pay equality performance
– Best performing Australian companies reduced gender pay gaps by 5.3pp in 3 years – – Businesses that conducted a pay audit improved their gender pay gaps – – Despite progress, women continue to be excluded from top salaries –... Read article
– Best performing Australian companies reduced gender pay gaps by 5.3pp in 3 years – – Businesses that conducted a pay audit improved their gender pay gaps – – Despite progress, women continue to be excluded from top salaries –... Read article
Diversification and ‘going green’ key to changing WA trade outlook
— WA’s international trade added $16,200 to average household incomes in 2022 — — Free trade agreements have increased Australian exports by $472 billion — — Rising levels of protectionism pose risks to economic growth — — WA ranks 12th... Read article
— WA’s international trade added $16,200 to average household incomes in 2022 — — Free trade agreements have increased Australian exports by $472 billion — — Rising levels of protectionism pose risks to economic growth — — WA ranks 12th... Read article
Housing affordability is deteriorating, and there’s no end in sight
— Rising interest rates have tripled loan delinquency among new mortgage holders — — Private rental affordability unlikely to improve in 2023 — — More funding needed for social housing and homelessness services — — Housing supply remains a major... Read article
— Rising interest rates have tripled loan delinquency among new mortgage holders — — Private rental affordability unlikely to improve in 2023 — — More funding needed for social housing and homelessness services — — Housing supply remains a major... Read article
Cultural tourism, international marketing and housing affordability key to revival of WA tourism sector
— Diversified and unique visitor experiences will drive a sustainable tourism strategy for WA — — WA recapturing high-spend international visitors crucial to sector recovery — — Housing affordability and labour shortages impacting regional tourism — — Regional residents recognise... Read article
— Diversified and unique visitor experiences will drive a sustainable tourism strategy for WA — — WA recapturing high-spend international visitors crucial to sector recovery — — Housing affordability and labour shortages impacting regional tourism — — Regional residents recognise... Read article
Mining companies are shifting their focus to supporting employee well-being
A new Curtin-led report has found that Australian mining companies have a stronger focus on the physical health and safety of employees compared to employee mental health and well-being, followed by a respectful workplace culture. The report, prepared by the... Read article
A new Curtin-led report has found that Australian mining companies have a stronger focus on the physical health and safety of employees compared to employee mental health and well-being, followed by a respectful workplace culture. The report, prepared by the... Read article
Greater gender balance across industries key to closing pay gap
— New report provides first analysis of gender pay gap by postcode — — Insights confirm gender segregation across industries key driver of pay gap — The seventh edition of the BCEC|WGEA Gender Equity Insights series released today by the... Read article
— New report provides first analysis of gender pay gap by postcode — — Insights confirm gender segregation across industries key driver of pay gap — The seventh edition of the BCEC|WGEA Gender Equity Insights series released today by the... Read article
Untapped local labour resources crucial to easing skills and jobs shortages
— WA prone to skills shortages due to isolation, remoteness of worksites and volatility of resource industry and economy — — At least 40,000 Western Australians unemployed each month and number of vacancies over 60,000 – — WA’s economy has... Read article
— WA prone to skills shortages due to isolation, remoteness of worksites and volatility of resource industry and economy — — At least 40,000 Western Australians unemployed each month and number of vacancies over 60,000 – — WA’s economy has... Read article
Report card shows progress for more women in the workforce
— New women’s report card provides insight into the status of women in 2022 — — Proportion of women on State Government Boards and committees is now 52.5 per cent — — Women in the workforce at 64.5 per cent... Read article
— New women’s report card provides insight into the status of women in 2022 — — Proportion of women on State Government Boards and committees is now 52.5 per cent — — Women in the workforce at 64.5 per cent... Read article
Measures of overcrowding need to consider more than just the number of occupants in a home: report
There is a disconnect between current measures of overcrowding and actual experiences of excessive density in Australian housing, according to new AHURI research. The research, ‘How many in a crowd? Assessing overcrowding measures in Australian housing’, undertaken for AHURI by... Read article
There is a disconnect between current measures of overcrowding and actual experiences of excessive density in Australian housing, according to new AHURI research. The research, ‘How many in a crowd? Assessing overcrowding measures in Australian housing’, undertaken for AHURI by... Read article
JobSeeker and Commonwealth Rent Assistance reform urgently needed to lift up to 1 million Australians out of severe poverty
— High rental costs leave many with less than $150 per week after housing costs – — 11.8 per cent of population including nearly 750,000 children live in poverty – — One in five people living in poverty are in... Read article
— High rental costs leave many with less than $150 per week after housing costs – — 11.8 per cent of population including nearly 750,000 children live in poverty – — One in five people living in poverty are in... Read article
Pandemic increases loneliness among Australians with adverse health outcomes costing up to $2.7 billion per year
— Young people, particularly women, hardest hit by loneliness during pandemic — — More risk-taking behaviours during pandemic due to mental, physical health decline — — Digital interactions no substitute for face-to-face — — Public trust in government boosted during... Read article
— Young people, particularly women, hardest hit by loneliness during pandemic — — More risk-taking behaviours during pandemic due to mental, physical health decline — — Digital interactions no substitute for face-to-face — — Public trust in government boosted during... Read article
Indigenous culture, performing arts and emerging technologies keys to strengthening creative industries in WA
— WA’s creative economy lagging behind the rest of the country — — WA arts sector has withstood the impact of COVID-19 better than eastern states — Released today by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, the Creativity at the Crossroads?... Read article
— WA’s creative economy lagging behind the rest of the country — — WA arts sector has withstood the impact of COVID-19 better than eastern states — Released today by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, the Creativity at the Crossroads?... Read article
Housing affordability divide grows between owner-occupiers and renters
— WA third among states for annual growth in price of established homes — — 100,000 WA renters at risk of major financial impact from rent rises — — First home buyers big winners from government assistance — Housing affordability... Read article
— WA third among states for annual growth in price of established homes — — 100,000 WA renters at risk of major financial impact from rent rises — — First home buyers big winners from government assistance — Housing affordability... Read article
Over a quarter of a century until gender pay gap likely to close
— Consistency is the key to implementing gender equality policies and practices — — Mining sector the big improver in gender equality practices — — Regular pay gap audits lead to faster closing of managerial pay gaps — A new... Read article
— Consistency is the key to implementing gender equality policies and practices — — Mining sector the big improver in gender equality practices — — Regular pay gap audits lead to faster closing of managerial pay gaps — A new... Read article
Late payments drive stress for WA small business owners during COVID-19
— Greater infrastructure support needed to boost regional small businesses — — Small businesses had high hopes for a strong 2021 economy — Almost a quarter of Western Australian small businesses are impacted by late payments of 30 days or... Read article
— Greater infrastructure support needed to boost regional small businesses — — Small businesses had high hopes for a strong 2021 economy — Almost a quarter of Western Australian small businesses are impacted by late payments of 30 days or... Read article
Report finds creating a more sustainable WA would boost jobs and economy
— Greener industries to deliver 55,000 jobs to WA workers — — Sustainable measures could save WA households $681 per year — Creating a more sustainable or ‘green’ state would deliver 55,000 jobs, 49,000 of which would be in regional... Read article
— Greener industries to deliver 55,000 jobs to WA workers — — Sustainable measures could save WA households $681 per year — Creating a more sustainable or ‘green’ state would deliver 55,000 jobs, 49,000 of which would be in regional... Read article
The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre team acknowledges the Wadjuk Nyungar people as the traditional owners of the land on which the Centre is situated.