Mitchell Institute

View of VU City Campus, including part of VU City Tower and Queen St building

The Mitchell Institute at Victoria University is one of Australia’s leading policy research think tanks and trusted thought leaders.

We are informed, independent and influential, with a proven ability to identify current and emerging issues and find achievable solutions. With a strong focus on improving Australia's education system, our mission is to develop and advocate for evidence-based policy that addresses the barriers of disadvantage and increases access to opportunity for all.

Research & focus areas
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Academics outside the Mitchell Institute.
About
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Latest

Years apart: Australia’s growing educational inequality
Drawing on 17 years of NAPLAN data, this report reveals that the learning gaps between advantaged and disadvantaged students in Australia are large, consistent, and growing.
Report: Assessing the ATAR
Our latest report analyses the ATAR’s changing role in school-to-university transitions and its impact on equity and opportunity.
Report & policy brief: Achieving Better & Fairer Schools
The Mitchell Institute calls for full-service school models as a purpose-built solution to Australia's growing educational inequality.

Featured: Childcare Deserts

A young boy reaching for a pencil at childcare.
700,000 Australians with no childcare access
Around 24% of Australians live in 'childcare deserts', where there are more than three children per childcare place.
Three children play on a swing outside at a childcare centre.
Childcare Deserts 2024: Where you live matters
In a world-first, the Mitchell Institute conducted global tracking of childcare access. Read the full report and key findings, and view our interactive maps by area.
Small child riding a bike in a childcare centre
England is one of the worst countries in Europe for ECEC access
A world-first study analysing centre-based childcare and nursery data finds almost half of the population in England (45%) live in a childcare desert.

2025 Election Policy Briefs

The Mitchell Institute’s election brief series summarised the biggest issues across Australia's education sector in the lead-up to the 2025 election.

Children in a primary school classroom.
Election 2025 Education Policy Brief: Schools
Debates over school funding and facilities, curriculum content, teacher shortages and student wellbeing sparked pre-election conversations on how best to support the primary and secondary education sectors.
Students in graduation robes, holding scrolls.
Election 2025 Education Policy Brief: Tertiary Education
Cost-of-living, housing and migration issues dominated the tertiary education landscape during the federal election.
Toddler hand playing with bright wooden toy
Election 2025 Education Policy Brief: ECEC
Cost-of-living pressures and concerns about access to childcare positioned early childhood education and care as a key election battleground.

Mitchell in the media

Mitchell Institute research on the ABC
In the first research of its kind in Australia, the Mitchell Institute has examined access to childcare in over 50,000 neighbourhoods across the country.
Watch the ABC report

Media contact & enquiries

For media interviews, journalist enquiries or to commission an opinion piece, please contact our media team.

[email protected]
+61 401 664 047