The government places as a priority the appointments of eight new commissioners for the Productivity Commission.

Eight of the 17 commissioners will end their terms in the next eight months so the selection process for replacements began in March. The selection committee completed the report in June.

The commission retains the no current vacancies status in its website while waiting for action on the selection report presented to the assistant Treasurer. The report called for prompt action “to ensure candidates do not take up other opportunities.”

Through its website, the commission specified the “skills and experience to replace departing employees or to work in specialised areas of new work allocated by government.” The required skills fall under economists and corporate and line area support. The Conditions of Service are laid down in the Commission's Enterprise Agreement 2010-2011.

The Productivity Commission is the government's main advisory body on all aspects of microeconomic policy since it is tasked undertake research and hold public inquiries and reports on issues across all sectors of the economy.

The current research projects being undertaken are focused on geriatric care or aged-care services, the care and support for persons with severe disabilities, educating and training the workforce, and the business-related policies such as bilateral and regional trade agreements.