The Federal election was called on 28 March 2025. As this website is hosted by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, the site will only be updated with material in line with the Caretaker Conventions. Please note that the content of this site relates to the Australian Government’s existing policy.

The Bureau of Communications, Arts and Regional Research (BCARR) undertakes research and provides economic and data analysis on communications, arts, cities and regions to support evidence-based policy development and advice.

Select your area of interest below or explore our menu.

Communications

See our research and analysis of the communications and media sectors.

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Arts

View our research and analysis of the arts sector and cultural and creative parts of the economy.

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Regions and Cities

The economic and social characteristics of Australia’s regions and cities vary significantly. Our spatial research and analysis improves our understanding of these differences and enables location appropriate development.

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Data Dashboards

Our data dashboards provide an interactive way of monitoring, measuring, analysing, and generating insights from different datasets.

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Publications

Understanding statistical geography

Factsheet providing a quick guide to assist people to analyse regional data and consider what geographical scale most accurately represents their region/s of interest.

2021 Estimated Resident Population

Statistical factsheet of the Estimated Resident Population for Australian regions and capital cities to June 2021.

Population growth, housing and housing affordability in South East Queensland placemats

These placemats are based on the initial findings from the population and housing analysis of the ongoing South East Queensland (SEQ) research project. Key findings include:

Subscription video on demand (SVOD)—March 2022 statistical snapshot

The summary findings in this document are intended to accompany the SVOD dashboard updated in March 2022 by the Bureau of Communications, Arts and Regional Research (BCARR), within the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.

Encouraging the continuation of work-from-home in a post-pandemic world

This report examines the benefits and drawbacks of working from home from the perspectives of both employees and employers.

Australia's Broadband Performance—statistical snapshot

This statistical snapshot is intended to accompany the Australia's Broadband Performance Dashboard released in March 2022 by the Bureau

Economic assessment of the Location Incentive on Australia's screen sector

This paper assesses the current and future economic benefits of one aspect of the Australian Screen Production Incentive, the Location Incentive, to provide early indications on the impacts of the program on the Australian screen industry and economy more broadly.

Government payments to the cultural and creative sectors

Government intervention through whole of economy measures, such as the JobKeeper and Boosting Cash Flow for Employers payments, has supported economic activity and employment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

FAQ: Cultural and Creative Activity in Australia, 2009–10 to 2018–19

This document provides further information on the analysis of cultural and creative activity, including how cultural and creative activity is measured. This information is presented in a Frequently Asked Questions format.

At a glance: Cultural and Creative Activity estimates, 2009–10 to 2018–19

This document outlines the key findings from the tables and figures shown in the BCARR visual summary document: Cultural and creative activity in Australia, 2009–10 to 2018–19.