Behavioural Insights Unit reports
Our collection of reports.
We publish our results directly with our partners, in occasional reports or through our BIU blogs. See our blog page for more.
Women in Trades promising practice review (PDF 2.47MB)
Women make up a small proportion of total apprentices in NSW, particularly in key industries facing skills shortages. The NSW Behavioural Insights Unit partnered with Training Services NSW to understand what stops females from taking up apprenticeships in male-dominated trades and suggest solutions based on behavioural science.
Apply behavioural insights to return to work
It is widely recognised that long-term absence from work is harmful to physical and mental wellbeing. Returning safely and quickly to work has strong benefits for the individual, their family, employer and the broader sustainability of the workers compensation system. Report on the trial undertaken by the Behavioural Insights Unit, Allianz and the Department of Education.
Increase voluntary participation in Justice programs
In 2015, the New South Wales Government announced a State Priority to reduce adult reoffending by five percent by 2019. More recently sentencing reforms coming into effect in September 2018 will give courts more flexibility to impose community-based sentences and require an offender to submit to supervision, participate in behaviour change programs and access other support services as conditions of the sentence.
In this report, we summarise the findings of research conducted by the Behavioural Insights Unit within the Department of Customer Service, in partnership with the Public Service Commission and the Customer Service, Stronger Communities and Transport Clusters. Using these insights, we can better identify, and ultimately remove, the obstacles facing women rising to senior roles in the NSW Government Sector.
2020 Behavioural Insights Report
BIU joined the newly created Department of Customer Service in July 2019 and is now perfectly positioned to collaborate with other innovative and customer-centred teams on the highest priority areas for government. They help NSW Government agencies to achieve measurably better outcomes for the people of NSW by guiding them on how to develop and test behavioural science solutions to policy, program and service goals. They draw on evidence from a range of disciplines and apply robust evaluation to really understand ‘what works’ to improve outcomes.
2018 Behavioural Insights Report (PDF 2.35MB)
Delivering better results for the people of NSW is our priority, and over the past six years the BIU has achieved good results and developed a stronger evidence base. Principles of behavioural insights continue to be embedded in government processes, supporting our ongoing development of policies and programs to make meaningful differences in the lives of the people of NSW.
2016 Behavioural Insights Report - Behavioural Insights in NSW (PDF 4.02MB)
We know from our own lives that we often fail to do what is best for us, despite our good intentions — whether it be exercising regularly, saving money or eating healthily. This has important implications for public policy. Behavioural Insights (BI) draws on the behavioural sciences to help us understand how people act and make decisions in everyday life — ways that are often different from those assumed in standard economic models
2014 Behaviour Insights Report - Understanding People, Better Outcomes (PDF 799.34KB)
Our use of Behavioural Insights supports our commitment to put people at the centre of government. By focusing on how, why and when people make the choices they do, we can design and deliver better services, with greater efficiency. From generating more funding for life-saving equipment in our public hospitals to supporting injured employees to get back to work sooner, this innovative and fresh approach is already making a real difference across the State.
Reducing missed outpatient appointments at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney (PDF 456.55KB)
Each year, over 14% of hospital appointments are missed at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney. This costs the hospital around $500,000 with each missed appointment costing $125+. Missed appointments mean longer patient wait times and inefficient use of hospital resources. Patients receive reminder text messages, but there are still significant number of missed appointments.