2022 was again a year of change and challenge. BETA’s work program adapted accordingly. We worked on some of the most urgent complex policy problems, including skills shortages, women’s labour force participation and energy prices.
Part of our work this year involved moving our influence upstream. To complement our work at the implementation stage after policies have been designed, BETA has increasingly conducted research and provided advice at earlier stages of the policy cycle. This has helped contribute to a better understanding of policy problems and a broader consideration of potential solutions.
Here, we reflect on just some of BETA’s many projects and accomplishments from the past year.
Skills shortages and career decision-making
As unemployment fell to historic lows, skills shortages became a key policy focus. BETA completed a range of projects to better understand career choices and workers’ perceptions about key priority industries.
We published research on which pay, study, and work incentives could attract people into teaching. This research was a key input into the Quality Initial Teacher Education Review.
We conducted research with people working in cyber security and adjacent fields to understand why cyber security employers are struggling to hire workers. We have also started exploring possibilities for attracting more diverse candidates into cyber security.
Women’s economic security
While women’s workforce participation in Australia is at a record high, women still face poorer economic outcomes compared to men. This includes the gender pay gap. In 2022, BETA conducted qualitative research and started delving into existing datasets to better understand the barriers faced by women in participating in the labour force.
We spoke to women who hadn’t worked for 10 years or more to better understand the complex combination of barriers they face if they wish to return to the labour force. We spoke to younger women whose labour force participation was disrupted by COVID-19, to understand how negative experiences during the pandemic might have lasting effects on their career trajectories. These findings have been shared with agencies across government, including the Treasury Employment Taskforce and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, as well as the government-appointed Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce.
Energy consumption
The cost of energy continues to rise globally, inflating prices and the cost-of-living for many Australians. BETA is continuing research that empowers energy consumers to make decisions in their best interests.
BETA conducted qualitative and quantitative research to make the Energy Made Easy comparison website easier to understand and use. Many of our recommendations have already been incorporated in their website development.
Some energy consumers do not choose between different energy plans themselves – rather they are part of an embedded network. BETA provided advice on how to ensure embedded network customers know they can still access Ombudsman services.
BETA’s 2021 research with the Australian Energy Regulator fed into the design of the Better Bills Guideline, which provides advice on how to simplify bills and encourage consumers to switch to better plans. Our recommendations were implemented in the latest version of the Guideline, which retailers will implement in 2023.
Healthcare access for disadvantaged Australians
BETA’s national survey on mental health stigma found over four million Australians experienced mental health-related stigma and discrimination in the prior 12 months. Unfair treatment most commonly came from people’s family and friends, or in the workplace, and was associated with reduced access to healthcare and employment opportunities.
Half of all lifetime mental health disorders emerge before the age of 14, and 75% by age 25. BETA conducted interviews with parents to understand how information about mental health should be presented, so parents are likely to find it when they need it.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the experiences of some disadvantaged Australians were less visible than others. BETA has started a program of work to better understand the experiences and needs of less visible cohorts. We will also evaluate how individuals use a targeted service aimed at improving vaccine access.
Around 2.7 million Australian children are eligible to access up to $1026 in benefits for basic dental services over two calendar years through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) – however, only one in three eligible patients access this funding. BETA interviewed 30 dental practitioners to understand the current use of the CDBS, and uncover potential barriers to uptake and greater utilisation of the program.
Other published projects
In 2022, we published several reports detailing work that has been underway for some time.
- The Government’s free Adult Migrant English Program helps many migrants learn English – BETA evaluated several ways to increase participation in the Adult Migrant English Program.
- BETA developed guidance materials to help supervisors support workers to return to work after injury or illness. We drew on stakeholder consultations, data analysis, a literature review, user testing and BETA’s previous work on the return-to-work process.
- BETA ran a survey and two survey experiments to provide advice on the YourSuper comparison tool. This work also helped to inform the current review of the Your Future, YourSuper laws.
- Workplace giving through payroll provides a regular source of income for charities and not-for-profit organisations. BETA used three randomised controlled trials to test the impact of messaging, messengers, gifts and time delays on the rates of workplace giving.
Building capability in behavioural insights
Part of BETA’s core function is building capability across the Australian Public Service and beyond. This year, BETA co-sponsored and participated in Nudgeathon 2022, hosted BI Connect 2022, and gave capability-building presentations or training to around 1400 people.
BETA worked with our Academic Advisory Panel to develop a short video case study to showcase the value of government collaborating with academics for the Economic Science Association. We encourage you to watch the video, which focused on our Online Wagering project, on our website.
We are excited about continuing to apply behavioural science to Australia’s key policy challenges in 2023. To stay updated on our work, sign up to our quarterly newsletter and follow us on Twitter.