The Bureau of Communications, Arts and Regional Research (BCARR) undertakes research and provides economic and data analysis on communications, arts, cities and regions to support evidence-based policy development and advice.

Select your area of interest below or explore our menu. You can also keep up with what’s happening in the BCARR via our newsletter, the Bureau Insider.

Communications

Research and analysis of the communications and media sectors.

Learn more

Arts

Research and analysis of the arts sector and cultural and creative parts of the economy.

Learn more

Regions and Cities

The economic and social characteristics of Australia’s regions and cities vary significantly. Spatial research and analysis improves our understanding of these differences and enables location appropriate development.

Learn more

Data Dashboards

A data dashboard is a tool that provides a centralised, interactive means of monitoring, measuring, analysing, and extracting insights from different datasets.

Learn more

Publications

Cultural and creative activity in Australia, 2008–09 to 2017–18—explanatory notes

The Bureau of Communications, Arts and Regional Research (BCARR) within the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications has estimated the economic contribution of cultural and creative activity in Australia ove

Cultural and creative activity in Australia, 2008–09 to 2017–18—visual summary

This publication provides an annual update to the BCARR working paper: Cultural and creative activity in Australia, 2008–09 to 2016–17 released in October 2018. The updated estimates are presented as a visual summary.

Cultural and creative activity in Australia 2008–09 to 2017–18—overview—fact sheet

This fact sheet provides responses to frequently asked questions regarding the Cultural and creative activity in Australia publications.

Measuring the digitalisation of Australia’s economy 2012–13 to 2016–17—Statistical working paper—experimental estimates

Advances in communications technologies are transforming Australia’s economy.

Measuring the digitalisation of Australia's economy 2012–13 to 2016–17—Fact sheet

Digitalised goods and services represent a significant and growing share of the Australian economy according to the latest available data.

Demand for fixed-line broadband in Australia 2018–2028—working paper

In this paper, the Bureau of Communications and Arts Research (BCAR) seeks to estimate bandwidth demand for premises in Australia based on how people use the internet.

Demand for fixed-line broadband in Australia 2018–2028—fact sheet

Bandwidth measures the rate of data transfer, typically in megabits per second (Mbps). It can be used to describe the capacity of a connection or how much information can be transmitted at a point in time, or the requirement of an application.

Characteristics of Employment and Business Activity in Cultural and Creative Sectors—fact sheet

Analysis that provides insights into the employment characteristics of workers in the cultural and creative sector.

Affordability of communications services for low income households

In 2017, the Bureau of Communications and Arts Research found that the affordability of communications services in Australia had improved overall.

Creative skills for the future economy

The research paper Creative skills for the future economy analyses the skills and qualifications of people working in creative fields and how these may be used in the future.