How to Make a Submission or Join a Public Hearing at the Productivity Commission

The Productivity Commission (PC) invites the public to take part in Australia's public policy formation through open submissions and public hearings. To participate, find the current inquiry or review on pc.gov.au, read its issues paper or terms of reference, prepare your submission following that inquiry's "How to make a submission" guidance, and submit before the listed closing date. You can also register for or attend scheduled public hearings, and sign up for email alerts so you don't miss deadlines.

What the PC is and why public input matters

The Productivity Commission describes itself as providing independent research and advice to Government on economic, social and environmental issues affecting the welfare of all Australians. Its work runs through inquiries and research, ongoing reporting, and media and speeches.

Public participation is built into that process. The site states that open submissions and public hearings "encourage you to have your say in Australia's public policy formation," and invites people to share issues they want raised and provide suggestions for ways forward.

Step 1: Find the inquiry or review you want to respond to

Start from the inquiries and reports area of the site. Current items shown on the homepage include:

Other named work includes Closing the Gap, Five pillars of productivity inquiries, and the Report on Government Services.

Open the specific inquiry page rather than relying on the homepage list, because each inquiry sets its own scope, documents, and submission arrangements.

Step 2: Read the inquiry documents before writing

Each inquiry publishes material that tells you what it is actually asking. Look for:

• The terms of reference, which define what the inquiry can and cannot consider
• Any issues paper or discussion paper, which shows the questions the PC wants evidence on
• The submission closing date and any stated format or length expectations

Reading these first is what separates a submission that gets used from one that argues a point outside the inquiry's scope.

Step 3: Prepare your submission

The site provides a "How to make a submission" page; follow the instructions on that page and on the individual inquiry page, since requirements can differ between inquiries.

A practical preparation sequence:

1. Identify the one or two questions in the issues paper your experience or evidence speaks to.
2. State your position clearly at the start.
3. Support it with concrete evidence — data, documented experience, or specific examples — rather than general opinion.
4. Note who you are (individual, business, community organisation) so the PC can weigh your perspective.
5. Keep it within any stated length or format limits.

The PC also invites you to share issues you want raised and to suggest ways forward, so a submission does not have to be only criticism — proposals are welcome.

Step 4: Submit and check what happens next

Submit through the method given on the inquiry page before the closing date. After submission, expect your contribution to feed into the inquiry's evidence base; the PC publishes findings and reporting as they are released, and posts about current inquiries, events, and calls for submissions.

If you want to know whether your submission will be published, check the inquiry page's submission guidance — publication and confidentiality arrangements are set per inquiry.

Step 5: Take part in a public hearing

Public hearings are the second channel for participation. They are listed alongside open submissions as ways to have your say.

To take part:

• Check the inquiry page for scheduled hearing dates and locations
• Look for any registration or expression-of-interest step, since arrangements vary by inquiry
• Prepare a short spoken version of your submission's key points
• Expect questions — hearings are a chance to test and explain your evidence, not just deliver a statement

Step 6: Stay ahead of deadlines

Deadlines are the most common reason people miss the chance to contribute. The homepage shows calls for submissions with specific dates, such as Business reporting requirements (9 Sept 2026) and the Closing the Gap Review 2026 (7 Sept 2026).

The PC offers email alerts: enter your email address in the subscribe field to receive updates on current inquiries, events, calls for submissions, and newly released findings. You can also follow updates via Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Common sticking points

• Writing before reading the terms of reference. Material outside the inquiry's scope is unlikely to be used.
• Missing the closing date. Dates are published per inquiry and per call for submissions; check the specific page, not just the homepage.
• Assuming one format fits all. Submission requirements are set per inquiry, so follow the guidance on the page you are responding to.
• Treating a hearing as a speech. It is a discussion; be ready to explain and defend your evidence.
• Not signing up for alerts. With multiple inquiries running at once, email alerts are the simplest way to catch new calls and hearing dates.

Quick reference