Projects
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is preparing to deliver the next Census of Population and Housing (the Census) in 2021.
Advisory reports
Applying behavioural insights to a cash transfer program
BETA collaborated with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to find ways of bolstering the impact of an existing cash transfer program in Indonesia.
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) provides cyber security advice for small businesses, which is published on its website.
Registered
Women in Economics Student Mentoring Program
The aim of this mentoring program was to encourage and motivate more women to continue their university studies in economics and be inspired to seek careers as economists.
BETA and the Fair Work Ombudsman developed text messages to improve awareness and understanding of workplace laws among recently commenced apprentices and their employers, and, in turn, improve apprentices’ workplace experience.
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Building Persistent Compliance with Labour Law: Evidence from a Randomised Controlled Trial
All employees working in Australia are entitled to a minimum wage and minimum standards of employment. The underpayment of wages and entitlements is a serious social and economic issue which affects workers, businesses and the community.
Advisory reports
Better support for farmers during drought
Australia is currently in the midst an increasingly severe drought. Parts of Eastern Australia have been particulary hard hit, with hot summer temperatures and record low rainfall.
Increasing the number of injured and/or ill employees who are able to make a sustainable return-to-work (RTW) is an important goal for all organisations; and a workplace policy priority within the public sector.
BETA and the Department of the Environment and Energy ran a trial to test the impact of bill design on people’s confidence in their ability to look for a better offer and intention to do so.
Advisory reports
A better practice guide for NBN providers
BETA partnered with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to develop a guide to help NBN providers present information to consumers more clearly.
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Nudge vs Superbugs: a behavioural economics trial to reduce the overprescribing of antibiotics
BETA and the Department of Health ran a trial to test the impact of personalised letters from Australia's Chief Medical Officer to high-prescribing GPs prompting them to consider reducing antibiotic prescribing where appropriate and safe.
BETA partnered with the Australian Tax Office to design and test whether behaviourally informed letters sent to tax agents could reduce erroneous claims for work-related expense deductions.
BETA partnered with the Australian Tax Office to design and test behaviourally informed methods of communications aimed at improving compliance among businesses in the Deferred GST Scheme.
Surveys give people an opportunity to be heard and provide government with vital information about the impact of its services.
Can simple SMS reminders help credit card holders reduce debt and save money?
This report was first published in May 2017. We republished the report in October 2017 after making minor revisions.
This study assessed whether women and minorities are discriminated against in the early stages of the recruitment process for senior positions in the Australian Public Service (APS).
BETA partnered with the Australian Government Department of Human Services to simplify the process parents undertake when updating their details with the Child Support Scheme.
Many income support recipients report their income late, which results in delayed, and sometimes even cancelled, payments. This can lead to financial gaps for these Australians and their families.
Registered
Increasing workplace giving
BETA is working with the Department of Social Services to evaluate the effectiveness of various behaviourally informed approaches on increasing workplace giving.
When shopping for appliances, people can find it difficult to weigh up the advertised cost of an appliance against its long-term running costs. This is sometimes referred to as the ‘energy‑efficiency gap’.
BETA joined forces with the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to test whether energy fact sheets can improve people’s ability to understand and compare energy plans—and ultimately choose the best one for them.