What we do

Helpful Economic Advisory Services Pty Ltd. is a boutique consulting firm specialising in providing training and research and advisory services to government and private industry.  We specialise in conducting research and in providing training in statistics, econometrics, economic modelling, use of large government administrative datasets and policy evaluation.  We have provided services to clients in Australia, Brazil, France, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the United States. 

Education and Research Director Professor Robert Breunig is one of Australia’s leading public policy economists.  Professor Breunig brings a very strong academic track record and specialised skills in economic and econometric analysis to the task.  He has over twenty years of experience providing policy advice, economic and statistical modelling and training to government clients in Australia and overseas.  The experience of those clients is uniformly positive and Professor Breunig continues to work with the same departments with which he worked twenty years ago. Professor Breunig is unique among top economics scholars in Australia in his deep knowledge of policy and his unparalleled track record of translating economic research and understanding for policy-makers from all backgrounds. 

Some examples of specific services include:

• Training in the economic way of thinking and its application to policy problems in social services, education, employment, infrastructure, and industry;

• Training in the use of statistics and econometric techniques to maximise insights from data;

• Training in quantitative policy evaluation;

• Advisory services for government, not-for-profits and private industry in how to maximise value from data;

• Advisory services for government, not-for-profits and private industry in how to analyse data for policy insights;

• Advisory services for government, not-for-profits and private industry in strategic policy design and communication; and

• Research services for government, not-for-profits and private industry in economic modelling and statistical/econometric analysis of data.

Testimonials

Helpful Economics provided a two-day training program for our staff in using cutting-edge econometric techniques on integrated administrative data to answer our employment services policy questions.  The course was engaging and informative, and directly applicable to our everyday work.  Bob and his associates were great instructors, they presented the course materials in an approachable and easy-to-understand format and thoroughly answered our many questions. Great job of making technical material interesting and fun.

- Office of the Chief Economist, Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

Helpful Economics and Robert Breunig have been providing advice on economic modelling, statistical analysis, communication strategies and training on economics and statistics to the Australian Treasury since 2006. He always delivers high quality and is skilled at making technical material accessible to all. He is very organised and helps us meet the tight deadlines that are required for our team's projects. Our staff benefit immensely by learning economics, econometrics and the economic way of thinking from him. He is also very easy to work with and always responsive our team's needs.

- Direct Research and Evaluation, Competition Taskforce, Australian Treasury.

Helpful Economics has been providing introductory economics training for policy makers in our department for many years.  The course receives very positive evaluations.  Participants rate Helpful Economics highly for their ability to deliver technical material in an easily accessible way.  Group exercises and games make the courses lively and engaging.  Helpful Economics are professional and easy to work with. 

- Workforce Capability Team, Prime Minister & Cabinet.

Sustainability policies 

Helpful Economics is committed to environmental and socially sustainable practices. We have introduced a below zero strategy as part of our goal to achieve greenhouse emissions below zero by 2030 for energy, waste, work travel and direct greenhouse gas emissions. The strategy includes the introduction of an array of policies aimed at improving environment and social sustainability. 

We abide by the recently introduced Green Impact, an international sustainability program developed by the United Nations, which ensures that environmentally and socially sustainable practices are mainstreamed throughout the organisation. The services provided by Helpful Economics align with Green Impact principles. In particular, all course materials are provided exclusively in a digital format, eliminating the use of paper. The team also travels sustainably (walking, bus or bicycle) to deliver services.  Wherever possible we use renewable and recycled resources.  We support circular economy principles. 

Regulatory considerations and Work, Health and Safety 

Helpful Economic Advisory Services Pty Ltd. and Professor Robert Breunig have a successful record of complying with laws and policies, meeting regulatory considerations and dealing with any WHS issues which arise. 

Workplace equity 

Helpful Economic Advisory Services Pty Ltd. is not a ‘relevant employer’ under the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (the WGE Act) but is strongly committed to workplace gender equity.  We are also committed to equity with respect to race, country of origin, sexual orientation and cultural diversity in general.

Modern slavery

Modern slavery is the severe exploitation of other people for personal or commercial gain. It is a tangible problem for millions of people around the world, including many in developed countries, who are being kept and exploited in various forms of slavery. Every company is at risk of being involved in this crime both in its own operations and through its supply chain.

Helpful Economics is committed to the eradication of modern slavery.  

When we source computer equipment and software, we purchase only from companies that comply with modern slavery regulations with a clear, visible and up-to-date report on modern slavery and a plan to eliminate it from their own supply chains.  We pay all our sub-contractors well and follow national labour laws in any countries where we sub-contract from.   

Our actions have been successful at eliminating modern slavery from our business and supply chain.