ARC

2009-2011

The Role of the Family in Facilitating the Human Capital and Labour Market Investments of Young Australians

Researchers: Dr Deborah Cobb-Clark, Dr Chris Ryan, Dr Tue Gorgens, Dr Yuji Tamura

This project will study the role of the family, interfamily financial transfers, and co-residence for young Australians’ investments in human capital and labour market skills. This is the first comprehensive such study in Australia. The empirical analysis will be based on data from Youth in Focus, a major research project involving a longitudinal survey of 4,000 Australian youths. The findings will inform public policy on several important issues including for example support to students, support to disadvantaged families, welfare dependency, housing costs, and housing planning. The project will also advance the literature by devising appropriate methods for analysing panel data and by extending the economic theory of the family.

2009-2010

"What are the determinants and effects of school choice"?
An international comparison between Australia and the UK

Researchers: Dr Deborah Cobb-Clark, Dr Chris Ryan, Dr Tue Gorgens, Professor Richard Blundell, Professor Lorraine Dearden, Professor Stephen Machin

This project will look at changes in household demand for private school education over the last 30 years in Australia and the UK and at the economic and demographic determinants of school choice in contemporary, comparable data. Innovative methodological approaches in two separate projects will focus on key potential drivers of private school choice, paying careful attention to what is similar and what is different about the underlying factors driving changes in school sector choice in the two countries. This analysis will provide a better evidence base for future policy development in this area.