Measuring What Matters

The Australian Government released Measuring What Matters: Australia’s First Wellbeing Framework in July 2023. The framework aims to track progress towards a more healthy, secure, sustainable, cohesive and prosperous Australia.

Figure 8.1: Measuring What Matters framework

This diagram shows the Measuring What Matters Framework. It depicts the 5 wellbeing themes and descriptors of Healthy, Secure, Sustainable, Cohesive and Prosperous and the cross-cutting dimensions of inclusion, equity and fairness.

Image: The Commonwealth of Australia

Traditional economic indicators have long been the focus of public debate. While they remain a vital part of measuring progress, they are far from the whole story. Measuring What Matters provides additional metrics to deepen understanding of how Australians are faring. This supports continuing discussions of the type of society Australians want to live in and how this can be achieved.

Internationally, governments have been increasingly recognising the value of broader measures of wellbeing. Countries such as Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales have used wellbeing frameworks to raise the profile of non-economic outcomes and improve policymaking.

The framework – published in July – is the first iteration. Just like other countries around the world, Australia’s approach will be iterative and ongoing. It will be moulded through continuous conversation with the community and developments in how Australia collects and captures data.

As the Australian approach is refined in future statements, the Government will consider ways to better link policy decisions with consideration of wellbeing metrics. The framework’s impact will also extend beyond the public sector, shaping the community’s understanding of Australia’s wellbeing and highlighting opportunities for improvement.

The Australian Government set out early ideas on Measuring What Matters as part of the October 2022–23 Budget. The current framework is informed by research and consultation to identify the best available indicators of Australia’s wellbeing.

See also

Australian Government (n.d.) Measuring What Matters Statement, Department of the Treasury website, https://treasury.gov.au/publication/p2023-mwm, accessed 6 October 2023.

Was this page helpful?