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.

Royal Commission
Submissions • 05 June 2026

Submission: Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion

2026 •

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. The Academy welcomes the opportunity to engage with the Royal Commission. The antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi must be a turning point in Australian public life, a moment of acute national reckoning that prompts deep…

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University Graduates
Submissions • 05 June 2026

Submission: Australian university graduates

2026 •

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission to the Education and Employment References Committee inquiry into Australian university graduates. The Academy welcomes the committee’s focus on graduate employment outcomes, which has important implications for productivity, public confidence in universities and student wellbeing. The inquiry was referred amid concerns about declining Australian…

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New Submission Cover Template Draft (1)
Submissions • 10 April 2026

Submission: Higher Education Support Amendment (Reverse Job-Ready Graduates Fee Hikes and End 50k Arts Degrees) Bill 2025

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission to the Education and Employment Legislation Committee inquiry into the Higher Education Support Amendment (Reverse Job-Ready Graduates Fee Hikes and End 50k Arts Degrees) Bill 2025. The Academy welcomes the committee’s focus on the significant and unresolved issues arising from theJob-ready Graduates (JRG) package.…

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New Submission Cover Template Draft
Submissions • 30 March 2026

Submission: Possible association to Horizon Europe: request for information

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources request for information on Australia’s possible association with Horizon Europe. The Academy welcomes the commencement of treaty negotiations on Australia’s association to Horizon Europe. Association would provide Australian researchers and industry partners with direct access to…

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Policy Submission Template (3)
Submissions • 28 February 2026

Submission: Productivity in Australia

Submission to the Select Committee on Productivity in Australia The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission to the Select Committee on Productivity in Australia’s Terms of Reference and Discussion Paper on Productivity in Australia. The Terms of Reference of this inquiry are broad and rightly reflect the complex and multifaceted nature…

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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.

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Submissions • 09 June 2025

Submission: Australian Research Council Open Access Policy Proposed Policy Updates 2025

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission to the Australian Research Council (ARC) Open Access Policy Proposed Policy Updates 2025. Open Access supports the dissemination and uptake of research and scientific knowledge to deliver public value and maximise the impact of Australian research. Broadly, the Academy welcomes the proposed changes to…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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.

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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…

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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…

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