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

Cultural and creative activity in Australia 2008-09 to 2016-17

An analysis showing cultural and creative activity contributed $111.7 billion to Australia’s economy in 2016-17. Cultural and creative activity relates to the arts, media, heritage, design, fashion and information technology.

Impacts of 5G on productivity and economic growth

Australians increasingly consider mobile connectivity to be essential, and the next generation of mobile technology — 5G — is expected to improve consumer experiences and raise business productivity. 

Demand for fixed-line broadband in Australia

Our working paper analyses data usage and the need for fixed-line broadband in Australian households over the next decade to 2026.

Trends and drivers in the affordability of communications services for Australian households

Our working paper analyses the trends in household expenditure on communications services, as well as pricing and inclusions for both fixed and mobile services.

Private sector support for the arts in Australia

Background statistical paper, Private sector support for the arts in Australia, highlights the essential role philanthropy and corporate sponsorship plays in the sustainability of the Australia’s creative sector.

Digital productivity: key issues from the literature

This occasional paper presents an overview of recent research on digital productivity and explores the role for digitalisation in productivity growth. 

NBN non-commercial services funding options—final report (March 2016)

This report quantifies the costs of providing NBN fixed wireless and satellite services, and provides options for alternative funding models.

The communications sector: recent trends and developments

The communications sector is a critical enabler of economic and social activity. Communications technology touches and transforms everyone's lives.

BCR Digital Productivity Report

Open government data and why it matters

A critical review of studies on the economic impact of open government data