Research Papers

Research Papers from the Centre for Future Work.

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Budget briefing paper 2026–2027

We examine the Budget in detail, from the perspective of workers and labour markets.

By David Peetz, Fiona Macdonald, Lisa Heap, Ben Spies-Butcher

Submission to the Inquiry into the National Employment Standards

Our short submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations, Skills and Training Inquiry into the

By Fiona Macdonald

Expert report: working from home

The Centre provided expert evidence in a work from home test case in the Fair Work Commission.

By Fiona Macdonald, Lisa Heap

Submission to the Senate Select Committee on Productivity in Australia

The Centre's submission shows that Australia’s productivity depends on investing in secure jobs, skills, care industries, and equitable economic policy

By David Peetz

Submission to the Closing Loopholes Review

The Centre's submission says closing workplace law loopholes has boosted job security, pay equity, enforcement, and fairness across Australia’s labour

By David Peetz

Addressing the health workforce crisis in the Pacific

The challenges of health worker labour migration and the need for cooperation for quality public health systems across Oceania.

By Fiona Macdonald, Lisa Heap, Charlie Joyce

Too much work and too few paid hours?

The 2025 Go Home on Time survey highlights widespread dissatisfaction with paid work hours, and employees working excessive unpaid overtime.

By Fiona Macdonald

Australian Sovereignty and the Path to Peace – 2025 Laurie Carmichael Lecture

The Hon. Doug Cameron argues that Australia is sacrificing its sovereignty and long‑term economic and social interests by deepening its

Productivity in the real world

What it is, what it isn’t, and how to make it work better for workers

By Jim Stanford

The curious incident of low wages growth

A new report considers why wages growth has been so low, despite a tight labour market and a brief surge

By David Peetz

Working from Home, Not a Problem

Who works from home and why? Who benefits from working from home arrangements? Why do some employers (and politicians) want

By Fiona Macdonald