Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre

What Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre does

Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) is an independent economic and social research organisation embedded within Curtin Business School at Curtin University in Bentley, Perth, Western Australia. It produces evidence-based research on Australian economic, social, and policy issues, with a particular focus on Western Australia while maintaining national and international relevance. The centre publishes a portfolio of thematic report series — including BCEC Reports, Focus on Industry, Focus on WA, Focus on The States, the annual Gender Equity Insights series, and a Monthly Labour Market Update — alongside policy briefs, public submissions to government inquiries, and a hosted data platform (the WA Women's Report Card). Its research themes span business and industry, energy and resources, gender and diversity, health and wellbeing, Indigenous wellbeing, and workforce development.

BCEC's underlying technology is academic research methodology rather than proprietary commercial technology: it applies advanced econometric modelling, scenario forecasting, and cross-country comparative analysis using established analytical tools. It does not develop SaaS platforms, APIs, or software products, and its core outputs are publicly accessible at no charge via its website. The centre's customer base spans federal and state government departments, industry and philanthropic organisations, and academic collaborators — including the WA Department of Communities, the Fair Work Commission (via ACTU commission), the Australian Research Council, Minderoo Foundation, UniSuper, and headspace.

BCEC's business model is grant- and contract-funded rather than commercially priced. Revenue is generated through competitive research grants (notably ARC), commissioned contracts from government agencies, and partnership or sponsorship arrangements with industry and philanthropic funders. Bankwest (a division of Commonwealth Bank of Australia) provides naming rights and core financial sponsorship that anchors BCEC's brand identity. Go-to-market is sales-led through research publications, policy insights, media commentary, and stakeholder events rather than commercial sales channels. Operations are sustained by 11-50 staff led by Director Professor Alan Duncan and a bench of principal and senior research fellows.

Name

Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre

Legal name

Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre

Website

https://bcec.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre is an independent economic and social research organisation within Curtin University that produces policy-relevant research for Australian government, industry, and academic stakeholders, funded by grants, contracts, and a Bankwest naming-rights partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Perth

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Contracts: BCEC generates revenue through competitive research grants from government agencies (Australian Research Council), industry organizations (Minderoo Foundation, UniSuper), and government contracts (Department of Communities WA, Fair Work Commission). Projects are commissioned for specific research initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

BCEC is an independent economic and social research organisation that produces research reports, policy briefs, and themed publication series on Western Australian and Australian economic and social issues. It conducts commissioned research for government agencies, industry organisations, and foundations, and disseminates findings through publications, media commentary, and stakeholder events.

Product overview

Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre operates as an independent economic and social research organization offering a portfolio of research publications and advisory services rather than a traditional technology product. The core offering consists of research reports and publications organized into themed series (Focus on Industry, Focus on WA, Focus on The States), including flagship products like Gender Equity Insights, Monthly Labour Market Updates, and the WA Women's Report Card data platform. BCEC also provides policy briefs, public submissions, and media commentary as knowledge dissemination outputs. The portfolio is research-focused rather than technology-driven, with no SaaS platform, API, or software products identified.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research Publications and Reports Comprehensive economic and social research publications covering topics such as employment, gender equity, housing affordability, population, and resources sector analysis. Aimed at government, industry, and academic stakeholders seeking evidence-based research.
• Gender Equity Insights Annual report series analyzing gender equality trends in Australian workplaces, including women's leadership representation, workforce participation, pay equity, and the business impacts of gender diversity initiatives. Aimed at employers, policymakers, and gender equity advocates.
• BCEC Monthly Labour Market Update Regular monthly publication providing up-to-date analysis of Western Australian and national labour market conditions, employment trends, and workforce dynamics. Aimed at government agencies, industry, and researchers.
• WA Women's Report Card Data Insights Platform Online data insights platform providing in-depth indicators on the status and progress of Western Australian women across health, safety, economic independence, and leadership dimensions. Aimed at government agencies, researchers, and community organisations.
• Policy Briefs and Submissions Evidence-based policy briefs, briefing notes, and public submissions to government inquiries on economic and social issues affecting Western Australia and Australia broadly. Aimed at government departments, parliamentary inquiries, and policy stakeholders.
• Media and Commentary Media releases, public commentary, and expert analysis from BCEC researchers providing economic insights on current events and policy matters for media and public audiences. Aimed at media outlets, journalists, and the public.
• BCEC Annual Report Annual organizational report documenting BCEC's research activities, achievements, publication downloads, media mentions, and stakeholder engagement metrics. Aimed at funding partners, government stakeholders, and Curtin University.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 7,200 publication downloads and 1,300 media mentions in 2024 alone
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• UniSupermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2019Collaboration with Curtin University to explore how superannuation outcomes could be improved for Indigenous Australians. Research involves quantitative analysis, modelling, and qualitative focus groups.
• Curtin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCEC is located within Curtin Business School at Curtin University. The university provides institutional support, infrastructure, and academic oversight. Researchers hold positions at the university.
• Minderoo FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Generation One initiative pursuing employment parity for Indigenous Australians. BCEC conducts research on Indigenous employment outcomes under this partnership.
• Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCEC hosts the Curtin node of CEVAW, focused on the role of institutions in preventing violence against women. Led by Professor Astghik Mavisakalyan.
• Department of Communities (WA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop the 2022 Women's Report Card for Western Australia, providing fact-based information on the status of WA women.
• Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACTU commissioned BCEC to undertake independent economic analysis of the cost of providing paid family and domestic violence leave for submission to the Fair Work Commission.
• Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChris Twomey holds joint position at BCEC and WACOSS, providing extensive networks at state and federal level for stakeholder engagement.
• The John Curtin Institute of Public PolicyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner on Evolution and Future Growth of STEM Skills in the WA Workforce project.
• Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European StudiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner on health consequences of bribery project, examining corrupt societies and health outcomes.
• University of South AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner on intra-household resource allocations project involving Siobhan Austen, Helen Hodgson, and Ross Taplin.
• WA Department of TreasuryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYashar Tarverdi, former BCEC Research Fellow, is now a Senior Analyst at WA Department of Treasury.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lowy Institute: Australian think tank producing independent international policy research. Comparable in operating model — independent research, public events, and media engagement to influence policy — though focused on international affairs rather than domestic economic research.
• Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA): Australian public-policy organisation focused on economic research, industry analysis, and policy advice. Comparable as a research-driven organisation engaging government and industry on economic and workforce issues.
• Per Capita: Australian progressive think tank focused on economic and social policy research. Comparable as a small, research-led organisation producing independent policy analysis with national reach.
• McKell Institute: Australian public-policy institute producing economic and social research, named after former NSW Premier Jack McKell. Comparable in producing policy-focused research with a state-level and national lens.
• The Australia Institute: Independent Australian think tank conducting economic, social, and environmental research. Comparable in mission, funding model, and use of media commentary to influence policy debates.
• Grattan Institute: Independent Australian public-policy think tank producing economic and social policy research with national scope. Highly comparable in operating model — independent research, government and media engagement, and evidence-based policy recommendations.
• Centre for Independent Studies: Australian public-policy research institute producing economic and social policy analysis. Comparable in being a privately funded, independent research organisation engaging government, media, and the public.
• Institute of Public Affairs: Australian public-policy think tank producing research on economic and social policy issues. Comparable as a long-established, privately funded research organisation influencing Australian policy debate.

Broad incumbents

• Australian Bureau of Statistics: Australia's national statistical agency producing economic, labour, and social data. Comparable as a producer of labour market and economic data series that BCEC relies on and complements with applied analysis.
• Reserve Bank of Australia (Research Division): RBA's research division produces macroeconomic analysis and labour market commentary directly relevant to BCEC's economic remit. Comparable in publishing economic and labour market research, though operating as part of a central bank with a much broader mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bankwestcurtin
• Facebookfacebook.com/Bankwest-Curtin-Economics-Centre-1200674143281504/timeline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/7959548

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre