The McKell Institute
The McKell Institute is an Australian progressive policy research institute founded in 2011, producing evidence-based reports and analysis on housing, labour, energy, and tax reform for government, civil society, and academic audiences nationwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersSydney, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The McKell Institute does
The McKell Institute is an Australian progressive policy research institute founded in 2011 and headquartered in Sydney, New South Wales. The organisation produces evidence-based policy research, analysis, reports, and opinion pieces focused on contemporary economic and social policy challenges including housing affordability and tax reform, labour markets, intergenerational inequality, and energy transition. It does not develop commercial software, technology platforms, or proprietary data products; its outputs are human-authored research deliverables distributed through its website, social media channels (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn), media commentary, and hosted events.
The Institute operates a national footprint with branch offices covering Queensland, Victoria/Tasmania, South Australia/Northern Territory, and Western Australia alongside its NSW headquarters, and acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as Traditional Custodians of its head office land. Its research portfolio includes the 2015 'Switching Gears' report on housing tax treatment and the 'Powering Australia's Future' report proposing a Sovereign Power national renewable energy entity. The organisation is led by CEO Ed Cavanough and Chief Economist Alison Pennington, with researchers such as Thomas Probst contributing to energy and industrial policy work.
As a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), the Institute operates under the legal entity McKell Pty Ltd and is funded through donations, memberships, and likely grants rather than commercial sales. There is no indication of external private equity, venture capital, or institutional investment backing. Its value proposition centres on pragmatic, progressive policy reform advocacy, with a documented influence on federal Budget 2026/7 housing tax changes as a quantifiable outcome of its decade-long research programme.
The McKell Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The McKell Institute
- Legal name
- McKell Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://mckellinstitute.org.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The McKell Institute is an Australian progressive policy research institute founded in 2011, producing evidence-based reports and analysis on housing, labour, energy, and tax reform for government, civil society, and academic audiences nationwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The McKell Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Policy Research
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)
Keywords
Where The McKell Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sydney
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices5 records
Markets served
The McKell Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
The McKell Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The McKell Institute is an Australian progressive research institute that produces and disseminates policy research, analysis, and reports addressing contemporary economic and social policy challenges. It focuses on housing tax reform, labour markets, energy transition, and progressive tax policy, delivering evidence-based recommendations to government, civil society, and the broader public.
Product overview
The McKell Institute is a progressive Australian research institute that publishes policy research, analysis, and reports on contemporary policy challenges. The organization does not offer commercial software products or technology platforms; its outputs consist of published research reports, opinion pieces, and policy analysis delivered through its website.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Policy Research Reports
- Membership Program
- Policy Events
- News and Opinion
- Donation Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Budget 2026/7 housing tax changes validated the Institute's decade-long advocacy for CGT and negative gearing reform
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The McKell Institute
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The McKell Institute technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The McKell Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The McKell Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Centre for Policy Development: Independent Australian policy institute working on inequality, climate, and democratic renewal. Comparable in scale and policy-research-plus-advocacy model, with a similar mix of long-form reports and policy engagement.
- Australian Council of Social Service: National peak body for social and economic justice, producing influential research on poverty, inequality, and housing affordability. Comparable in policy subject matter and advocacy function, though structured as a peak body rather than a research institute.
- Per Capita: Australian progressive think tank focused on social democratic policy ideas, including housing, tax, and inequality. Directly comparable in ideological orientation and policy subject matter to McKell's progressive economic reform agenda.
- Regional Australia Institute: Independent policy think tank focused on regional and rural Australia, producing data-driven research and policy advice. Comparable as a non-university policy research body, though with a more geographically specialised focus than McKell's national remit.
- Grattan Institute: Australian evidence-based policy research institute producing reports on economic, social, and environmental issues. Highly comparable to McKell in mission and operating model, with a similar mix of government-targeted research, media engagement, and public-policy advocacy, though generally regarded as less partisan in framing.
- Australia Institute: Australia's leading progressive think tank, producing research on economics, energy, and environment. Most directly comparable to McKell given the shared progressive policy orientation, media presence, and national advocacy footprint.
Emerging players
- The Conversation: Australian academic and policy media outlet publishing expert analysis from researchers and policy specialists. Comparable as a vehicle for policy-relevant research distribution and public engagement, with overlapping audience and author base, though operating a media model rather than a think-tank model.
Broad incumbents
- CEDA (Committee for Economic Development of Australia): Established and larger Australian economic policy organisation producing research, events, and policy advice across a broad portfolio. Comparable as a policy research body but operates as a broader, member-supported incumbent rather than a focused progressive institute.
Regional players
- Lowy Institute: Leading Australian international policy think tank producing independent research on global issues. Comparable as a high-profile Australian think tank with strong media presence, but focused on international policy rather than the domestic economic and social policy focus that defines McKell's work.
- Committee for Sydney: Sydney-based policy and advocacy organisation producing research on city economic and social issues. Comparable in research-and-advocacy model, but geographically narrower than McKell's national footprint and focused on metropolitan rather than federal policy issues.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
The McKell Institute social profiles
Digital presenceThe McKell Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The McKell Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
The McKell Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The McKell Institute M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The McKell Institute
What does The McKell Institute do?
The McKell Institute is an Australian progressive research institute that produces and disseminates policy research, analysis, and reports addressing contemporary economic and social policy challenges. It focuses on housing tax reform, labour markets, energy transition, and progressive tax policy, delivering evidence-based recommendations to government, civil society, and the broader public.
Is The McKell Institute a public or private company?
The McKell Institute is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The McKell Institute founded?
The McKell Institute was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The McKell Institute based?
The McKell Institute is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, in the Oceania region.
Who are The McKell Institute's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Centre for Policy Development, Australian Council of Social Service, Per Capita, Regional Australia Institute, Grattan Institute and Australia Institute. The Conversation is listed as an emerging player. CEDA (Committee for Economic Development of Australia) is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are Lowy Institute and Committee for Sydney.
Does The McKell Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for The McKell Institute.
What industry is The McKell Institute in?
The McKell Institute's product category is Public Policy Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDADADAA, Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks, with a secondary code of BPAGAFAO, Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes. Its NAICS code is 54172 and its SIC code is 8200.