Social and Behavioural Sciences  > National Institute of Labour Studies


Leading research in work and labour markets


The National Institute for Labour Studies (NILS) specialises in research and consulting in the fields of work and labour markets. We are renowned for combining rigorous analysis with a continuing concern for the wellbeing of people as workers, and our research is regularly used as a key resource by governments, business and interest groups. At the forefront of many labour market debates, the views and expertise of NILS’ staff are widely sought by the media and the broader community.

Founded in 1972 by Professor Keith Hancock, NILS is Australia’s oldest labour studies research centre. Since 1981, we have operated as an incorporated association, wholly owned by Flinders University. Under the leadership of Professors Richard Blandy, Judith Sloan, Mark Wooden and subsequently Sue Richardson, NILS has established a reputation for outstanding and timely work in labour studies. In August 2009  Professor Kostas Mavromaras accepted the position of Director. Kostas was previously employed at the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economics and Social Research where he was Head of the Labour Economics and Social Policy area. Our success is measured by our record of publications, refereed journal articles, conference papers and citations.

NILS has an extensive program of research, both grant funded research and commissioned projects. Our research is often collaborative, with a record of working with colleagues from other disciplines and centres at Flinders, colleagues from other national and international universities, as well as with industry partners.

Details of NILS’ research are published in its annual reports. Information about our research projects is also available.

 

Australian Bulletin of Labour

The Australian Bulletin of Labour, an academic journal about issues, policies and developments within the broad spectrum of labour practice and theory, has been published by NILS since 1974. The ABL is published as often the supply of suitable papers permits – up to four times per year.

Testimonials

"Professor Richardson and her team have provided an extremely high level of service to the Department. The analysis of the data has been very high quality and both reports provided by NILS have been of an exemplary standard." ~ Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing
Read more >>

News from the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences » National Institute of Labour Studies

  • Industrial relations conference
    Josh Healy (Research Fellow, NILS) and Keith Hancock (Emeritus Professor, NILS) both gave invited presentations at a major recent industrial relations conference. The event, jointly organised by academics at Melbourne and Monash universities, marked the 20th anniversary of the shift to enterprise bargaining in the Australian industrial relations system in 1991. The aim was to [...]
  • Skills Australia visit
    The National Institute of Labour studies (NILS) invited Skills Australia to attend a presentation by NILS of its multi-disciplinary research capacity and its evidence based research on many dimensions of the labour market. Skills Australia accepted the offer, and the briefing was held at Flinders University on August 4. Skills Australia were represented by their [...]
  • Australia’s schooling challenges and opportunities
    The Gonski review panel was established by the Commonwealth to advise on a superior approach to school funding. As part of the review, the panel has undertaken a comprehensive research program that included examination of available research, data analysis and additional research commissioned to inform the panel’s deliberations. NILS researchers were partners in a specially [...]
  • “Caring for Older Australians” a Productivity Commission report
    The Productivity Commission recently released its wide-ranging report “Caring for Older Australians”. The report draws heavily on the findings of a number of commissioned studies conducted by NILS research team on the profile of the current aged care workforce (refer to Chapter 14 of the report). NILS continue to produce workforce research for the Department of [...]
  • Zhang Wei nominated as the representative of young economists in SA
    Dr Zhang Wei (Research Fellow, NILS) has been nominated by the South Australian Branch of the Economic Society of Australia as the representative of young economists in SA. He attended the National Launch of the Young Economists Network at the Australian Conference of Economists on 12 July in Canberra. Delegates from each state met in [...]
  • Southern Suburbs Coordination Group (SSCG)
    Professor Kostas Mavromaras provided a presentation to the Southern Suburbs Coordination Group (SSCG) on a report done for the Southern Adelaide Economic Development Board. The report provided an analysis of educational attainment across the region and how education impacts the economic potential of regions. The Southern Suburbs Coordination Group comprises CEOs/senior representatives from Flinders University, the [...]
  • Seminar by Professor William Brown
    In April, NILS hosted an open seminar by Professor William Brown professor of Industrial Relations at Cambridge University. Prof Brown’s research is internationally influential in such fields as: collective bargaining, pay determination, incomes policy, payment systems, arbitration, minimum wages, and the impact of legislative change. For more info on his work visit www.econ.cam.ac.uk/faculty/brown/publications.htm Professor William Brown [...]
  • Three Minute Thesis competition
    Joanne Flavel represented NILS in May in the first round of the Faculty competition in Flinders University’s inaugural Three Minute Thesis competition. The Three Minute Thesis competition is open to Research higher degree students and competitors have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis topic and its significance in language appropriate to [...]
    • inspiring achievement