A Wellbeing Government in Australia

Promoting policy approaches that meet the needs of people and the environment, that are values-driven, holistic and preventative.

Improving the wellbeing of current and future generations requires a shift in mindset when it comes to what we think of as progress.

We promote policy approaches that meet the needs of people and the environment, that are values-driven, holistic and preventative.

Seeing policy ideas through a wellbeing lens leads to decisions that reflect community values, respect environmental bounds and deploy resources more effectively for the common good.

Our vision is to embed wellbeing at the heart of Australian policymaking in a way that will lead to effective and systemic change.

Highlights

Avoidable Costs is a report that addresses the substantial costs governments incur by failing to address the root causes of issues, and makes the financial case for prevention and tackling problems early.

Embedding Progress is a report from the Centre for Policy Development that provides governments with a practical manual for how to achieve better outcomes for the people they serve.

The Wellbeing Economy in Brief series is a collection of mini briefing papers that look at the idea of a wellbeing economy, how it relates to other ideas for economic change, and what some of the core elements of a wellbeing economy are.

Focus area experts

Recent work

Better Together is a report from the Centre for Policy Development that looks at ways local councils can overcome chronic under-resourcing by partnering with state and federal governments to provide
CPD’s submission on Tasmania's draft 20-year preventive health strategy strongly supports the focus on economic drivers of wellbeing and urges the government to continue this focus through implementation.
The seventh Wellbeing Government Roundtable brought together senior public servants from the Commonwealth and states/territories to further the momentum for preventive investment between jurisdictions and to develop practical ideas for

In the media

There is a critical need for stronger partnerships between local and state governments, says a new CPD report.
The Centre for Policy Development says giving councils more money is important, but argues it’s also vital, as all levels of government come under budget pressure, to consider how that money is invested.
A new CPD report has highlighted the critical need for stronger partnerships between local and state governments, as the growing responsibilities of councils and decline in funding has hampered their ability to deliver for the community.
The 2026-27 Federal Budget marks a clear shift by the government toward addressing intergenerational and wealth inequality, prioritising a more resilient economy that benefits both current and future generations of Australians.
If we want to avoid becoming a nation where the great divide is between those who own property and those who never will, we should jump at the chance for reform.
The way we deal with rising inflation is highly problematic.

Related initiatives

Tackling long-term government policy challenges and instilling confidence in public institutions
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