About ABARES
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences is a research organisation within the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. ABARES was formed following the merger of the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) and the Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS) in 2010. Both ABARE and BRS had a strong history in contributing to private and public sector decision-making through their research, analysis and statistical collections. ABARE’s history dates back 65 years (from 1945) and BRS’s 24 years (from 1986).
ABARES will continue to provide the professionally independent economic and scientific analysis previously undertaken by ABARE and BRS. It will also provide a third capability of integrated socio-economic and biophysical analysis necessary to address the difficult policy issues facing Australia’s primary industries today and into the future.
Importantly, the new organisation will retain the professional independence that has long been a feature of the work of ABARE and BRS. For example, the new organisation will continue to publish research for decision-makers covering the full gamut of policy options and will be available to undertake research funded by external parties, as has occurred in the past.
At the same time, ABARES plans to forge a stronger future and make new services publicly available.
Our mission
Our mission is to provide professionally independent, world-class research, analysis and advice for government and private sector decision-makers on significant issues affecting Australia’s primary industries.
More information on our objectives and guiding principles.
Our capabilities
ABARES delivers independent economic and scientific research and analysis to a range of stakeholders. We also produce integrated socio-economic and biophysical analysis necessary to address the difficult policy issues facing Australia’s primary industries.
ABARES provides innovative research outputs that combine current thinking from relevant disciplines for inclusion in publications and reports, compilations of data, databases, presentations, conferences and workshops.
ABARES has staff with skills across a range of economic, science and social-science disciplines. These include skills in the areas of scientific and economic analysis and modeling, data (including survey) collection and statistical analysis, risk assessment and management, geographical mapping particularly in areas related to natural resource management, commodity and market analysis, and integrated analysis.
Our people
Our Executive Director is Paul Morris, Chief Economist, Dr Michael Harris and Chief Scientist, Dr Kim Ritman.
Sourcing our economists, scientists, researchers and analysts from leading Australian and international universities ensures that our people are highly qualified and pride themselves on providing multi-disciplinary research and analysis.
Our stakeholders
The diversity of our clients is vast and representative of industries in agriculture, food, forest, fisheries, energy, minerals, productivity and water. They include federal and state government departments and agencies, portfolio-related companies and agencies, research and development corporations, and industry groups.
Contact us if you would like to discuss how we can help your organisation.
About the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s role is to develop and implement policies and programs that ensure Australia's agricultural, fisheries, food and forestry industries remain competitive, profitable and sustainable.
Our Minister
Senator the Hon. Joe Ludwig, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
The Hon. Sid Sidebottom MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
24 Aug 2012