The Effects of the Tax and Social Security System on Labour Supply and Social Welfare (ARC Discovery project)

This research will provide independent assessment of the work-incentive effects of government policies in the area of income tax, social security and childcare costs. Capacity constraints may threaten sustained economic growth in Australia. Understanding and supporting the drivers of work force participation is stated in the National Research Priorities as being vital. In addition to the empirical results, the project provides a set of tools that can be used to evaluate new policies with respect to the effects on labour supply, income distribution and social welfare. This will provide timely and independent evidence on which to evaluate new policies and therefore increase the quality of the debate on tax and social security policy. Funding for this project runs from 2007 to 2009.