Statement of Capabilities

The National Institute of Labour Studies is Australia’s oldest labour studies research centre. Established at Flinders University in 1972 – and an incorporated body since 1981 – it has a fine record of research excellence and delivering high quality work to budget and on time. In all its work, it combines theoretical understanding with sophisticated empirical skills.
NILS carries research and consulting in the following key areas:

analysis of labour market developments at national, industry, occupational and regional levels
industrial relations developments and issues
employment, unemployment and labour mobility
labour productivity and workplace performance
employee and management opinion surveys
education and training
immigration
earnings and wage trends
human resources management

Research methodologies include telephone and postal surveys, focus groups, one-to-one interviews, analysis of existing data sets, and literature reviews.
NILS staff regularly are called upon to comment on specific labour market issues in the media and through presentations to organisations such as professional associations and conferences, the Reserve Bank, the Productivity Commission, Coles Myer Ltd, and the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. They also are actively sought to serve on advisory bodies and committees; recent example include the SA Ministerial Skills Inquiry , the Reference Group for the Household Income and Labour Dynamics Survey, the Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee and the process for setting National Research Priorities.

NILS’ skill base

NILS researchers come from a variety of disciplines – including economics, sociology, industrial relations and psychology – but all are specialists in labour market research. They bring to every project:

an ability quickly to master and summarize the relevant literature
an understanding of the operation of Australian labour markets, grounded in more than two decades of solid empirically-
based research
a theoretical knowledge combined with extensive practical understanding of a wide range of specific labour market issues
long experience in liaising with government agencies, private sector firms and community groups for the purpose of providing policy-relevant research services
demonstrated skills in the development of structured and semi-structured surveys aimed at a range of respondents, including employees, managers, clients and students
strong links with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and well-established expertise in the use of both published and unpublished ABS statistics and data sets
extensive experience in conducting complex empirical data analyses on both cross-sectional and longitudinal data sets
project management skills necessary for the undertaking of complex multi-tasked projects
a team philosophy where teams are constructed with the right mix of skills, from both NILS staff and the wider university staff pool; and
a demonstrated ability to produce high-quality, reader-friendly reports within tight timeframes.

Major publications

Since September 1974, NILS has produced the Australian Bulletin of Labour, which meets the need for a comprehensive yet readable journal that focuses on the world of work. Each edition contains editorial commentary on the current state of the labour market, alongside three or four contributed articles.
A Working Paper series complements the Bulletin. These monographs present the results of NILS’ original research for a professional audience.

Membership

Membership is open to companies, government departments, public institutions, unions, associations and individuals.
NILS currently has 16 Members, including the Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZ Banking Group, BHP Petroleum, Coles Myer, Dept. Employment, Workplace Relations & Small Business, Hills Industries, Holden Ltd., Industry Policy & Planning, McDonald’s Australia, Mitsubishi Motors, Productivity Commission, Reserve Bank of Australia, S.A. Water, Santos, Skilled Engineering, Woodside.
Members receive all NILS publications free of charge and have preferential access to:

quality consultancy and other services, including surveys, literature search and data analysis
quality advice on any labour studies issue from NILS' staff
NILS' specialist library and bibliographic material

Further information:
Professor Sue Richardson
Director, National Institute of Labour Studies
Flinders University
GPO Box 2100
Adelaide SA 5001
AUSTRALIA
Tel: (61 8) 8201 2636
Email: Sue.Richardson@flinders.edu.au

NILS’ clients have included:

Federal government departments such as:

Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs
Industry, Trade and Technology
Prime Minister and Cabinet
Social Security
Health and Ageing

Federal government agencies such as:

Australian National Training Authority
Australian Taxation Office
National Centre for Vocational Education Research
National Oil and Gas Safety Advisory Commission

State government departments and agencies such as:

SA Development Council
SA Ministerial Skills Inquiry
SA Independent Industry Regulator
Victorian Department of Treasury
Victorian Department of Business and Employment

Local governments and government business enterprises such as:

SA Water
Marion City Council.
Business Vision 2010

Employer and industry associations and unions such as:

Minerals Council of Australia
Minerals Institute of Western Australia
Australian Mines and Metals Association
Business SA
Business Council of Australia
New Zealand Business Roundtable
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, WA
Australian Services Union

Companies such as:

Coogee Resources
ANZ Bank
BHP Billiton Petroleum
BHP Billiton Base Metals
Coles Myer
Esso Australia
McDonalds
Rio Tinto
Shell Australia
Woodside Energy

International Organisations such as:

International Labour Organisation
Global Policy Network
New Zealand Treasury
New Zealand Ministry of Social Policy