The Academy brings together world-leading experts from to consider and advise government on a range of social and economic policy issues, including education and research policy. Our submissions to government inquiries and reviews provide authoritative advice on matters of national importance to support evidence-based policy development and advocate for social science education and research excellence.

For more information, please contact the Academy’s Policy Director Andrea Verdich at andrea.verdich@socialsciences.org.au.

Submissions • 01 February 2026

Pre-Budget Submission 2026-27

Pre-Budget Submission 2026-27 On 30 January 2026, the Academy made a submission to the 2026–27 Federal Budget. The submission made five recommendations to create opportunity and equity in education, strengthen the research ecosystem and address key challenges facing Australia. Click on ‘download’ to read the submission in full.

Continue Reading »

Submissions • 19 January 2026

Submission: Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025

Submission to the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Education and Employment inquiry into the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025. The Academy strongly supports the establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (the…

Continue Reading »

Submissions • 15 December 2025

Submission: National Skills Taxonomy Update: Building a System which Puts People and Skills First

Submission to the National Skills Taxonomy Update: Building a System which Puts People and Skills First The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission responding to the National Skills Taxonomy (NST) Update Discussion Paper: Building a system that puts skills and people first. The Discussion Paper adopts a skills-first approach and explores…

Continue Reading »

Submissions • 14 December 2025

Submission: House Standing Committee on Education inquiry into Building Asia Capability in Australia

2025 •

Submission to the House Standing Committee on Education inquiry into Building Asia Capability in Australia The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission to the House Standing Committee on Education inquiry into Building Asia Capability in Australia. A strong and sustained Asia capability is fundamental to Australia’s national interests. It underpins social…

Continue Reading »

Submissions • 11 December 2025

Survey Submission: 2026 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap Issues Paper

Submission to the 2026 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap Issues Paper Survey This submission responds to a survey on the 2026 National Research Infrastructure (NRI) Roadmap Issues Paper and the priority areas and the investments needed to safeguard Australia’s future sovereign research capabilities. The Academy’s submission focuses on the priorities identified in its Decadal Plan for…

Continue Reading »

Submissions • 07 October 2025

Submission: Strategic Examination of Research and Development – National Coordination for RDI&I Impact Policy Paper

2025 •

Submission to the Strategic Examination of Research and Development – National Coordination for RDI&I Impact Policy Paper A high performing research, development and innovation (RD&I) system is more than a matter of simply producing and commercialising new goods and services. The system must also coalesce around clear priorities that consider how RD&I can address broader…

Continue Reading »

Policy Submission Template 1 Pdf
Submissions • 29 September 2025

Submission to the Australian Research Council Research Insights Capability Consultation Draft

2025 •

Submission to the Australian Research Council Research Insights Capability Consultation Draft On 19 September 2025, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission to the Australian Research Council (ARC) consultation draft for the Research Insights Capability. The Academy views the proposed Research Insights Capability as a strategic investment in deepening knowledge of…

Continue Reading »

Submissions • 09 September 2025

Survey Submission: Draft Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research

2025 •

Submission on the Draft Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research This submission responds to a survey from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) on the draft revised Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research. The Academy’s submission…

Continue Reading »

Submissions • 04 August 2025

Submission: Economic Reform Roundtable

2025 •

Submission to the Economic Reform Roundtable On 29 July 2025, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (the Academy) partnered with The Melbourne Institute of Applied Social and Economic Research and CEDA to convene 10 leading experts for a rapid-fire forum focused on immediate priorities for boosting Australia’s productivity. A summary of the discussion has been prepared…

Continue Reading »

Policy Submission Serd 2 Pdf 566x800
Submissions • 08 April 2025

Submission: Strategic Examination of Research and Development

2025 •

Submission to the Strategic Examination of Research and Development A high performing research and development (R&D) system is more than a matter of simply producing and commercialising new goods and services. The system must also coalesce around clear priorities that consider how R&D can address broader economic and societal goals. On 9 April 2025, the…

Continue Reading »

Submissions • 30 March 2025

Survey Submission: 2026 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap

Submission to the 2026 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap Survey This submission responds to a survey from the Australian Government on alignment of current national research infrastructure with national research priority areas, and identification of gaps and needs for the future. The Academy’s submission focuses on the priorities identified in its Decadal Plan for Social Science…

Continue Reading »

Submissions • 13 November 2024

Submission: APS Reform Stage 2 Integrity Initiatives

Submission to the APS Reform Stage 2 Integrity Initiatives Public ConsultationIntegrity is the foundation of APS professionalism and the public’s confidence that the APS will act in the best interests of and will deliver the best outcomes for Australia. A wide appreciation among all APS employees of this role and the values and behaviours that…

Continue Reading »

Submission 852x1200
Submissions • 28 May 2024

Submission: Inquiry into civics education, engagement and participation in Australia

Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters On 23 May 2024 the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters inquiry into civics education, engagement, and participation in Australia. A high-quality education in the social sciences is critical to democratic participation and understanding…

Continue Reading »

Submission Cover 843x1200
Submissions • 14 May 2024

Submission: Policy Review of the National Competitive Grants Program

Submission to the Australian Research Council and Department of Education On 13 May 2024 the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission to the Policy Review of the National Competitive Grants Program. Australia’s social science researchers are highly reliant on the National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) as an essential and primary source…

Continue Reading »

Submissions • 04 February 2024

Pre-Budget Submission 2024-25

Pre-Budget Submission 2024-25 On 2 February 2024, the Academy made a submission to the 2024–25 Federal Budget. The submission offers eight recommendations to strengthen Australia’s research ecosystem, improve education and learning outcomes and deploy social science research to address key challenges facing Australia. Click on ‘download’ to read the submission in full.

Continue Reading »

240119 Joint Learned Academies Submission Arc Amendment Review Response Final 2 Pdf
Submissions • 18 January 2024

Submission: Australian Research Council Amendment (Review Response) Bill 2023 inquiry

Submission to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee On 19 January 2024 Australia’s Learned Academies made a joint submission to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee inquiry into provisions of the Australian Research Council Amendment (Review Response) Bill 2023. The Learned Academies endorse the proposed amendments in the Bill, which address six of…

Continue Reading »

Cover Submission Pdf Pdf
Submissions • 12 December 2023

Submission: National Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy

Submission to the Draft National Digital ResearchInfrastructure Strategy On 12 December 2023 the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission to the Draft National Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy (NDRI Strategy). The Academy welcomes the release of the Draft NDRI Strategy and its objective to articulate an explicit set of strategic aims and…

Continue Reading »

Submissions • 31 August 2023

Submission: Australian Universities Accord Interim Report

Submission to the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report On 1 September 2023 the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission to the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report. The Academy welcomes the release of the Interim Report which takes the first steps towards the bold and broad reforms required across higher education. Our…

Continue Reading »

Submissions • 28 June 2023

Submission: Draft National Care and Support Economy Strategy

Submission to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet On 30 June 2023 the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission and completed an online survey in response to the Draft National Care and Support Economy Strategy (the draft Strategy).  The draft Strategy significantly elevates and advances the national conversation on four…

Continue Reading »

Submissions • 25 May 2023

Submission: Measuring what matters – second consultation process

Submission to The Treasury On 26 May 2023 the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences made a joint submission to the second consultation process for Measuring What Matters. Our Academies strongly support the Australian Government’s initiative to develop a stand-alone Measuring What Matters Statement. A…

Continue Reading »

Submissions • 22 May 2023

Submission: Productivity Commission inquiry into early childhood education and care

Submission to the Productivity Commission On 23 May 2023 the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission to the Productivity Commission inquiry into early childhood education and care (ECEC). ECEC plays an important social and economic role in Australia. Alongside growing evidence confirming the significant contribution high quality ECEC makes to healthy…

Continue Reading »

Submissions • 09 February 2023

Pre-Budget Submission 2023-24

Pre-Budget Submission 2023-24 The social sciences are key to understanding and assisting humanity, society and the institutions that govern our daily lives. Our Pre-Budget submission offers five overarching recommendations each witha practical action that the government can implement immediately to support a world-class social science ecosystem and to take coordinated action on two of our…

Continue Reading »