This framework proposes 50 wellbeing indicators under the themes of healthy, secure, sustainable, cohesive, and prosperous societies. These indicators seek to deepen our understanding of how Australians are faring beyond traditional economic indicators. The public can track progress of these indicators via an online dashboard. The report recommends an iterative and ongoing approach to the development of the framework and the indicators, shaped by continuous conversation with the community and new data collection methods.

Sustainable indicators

The sustainable indicators aim to foster a society that sustainably uses natural and financial resources, protects and repairs the environment and builds resilience to combat challenges. To realise this goal, the report introduces five metrics: emissions reduction, renewable share of electricity generation, exposure to outdoor air pollution of PM2.5, protected areas and biological diversity, and resource use. The report notes that there is still room for improvement in the coverage of some sustainable indicators, such as environmental resilience (including to natural disasters and impacts on green and blue spaces) and material productivity. The report also lists some ongoing initiatives that Australia is undertaking to improve sustainability, such as the National Energy Performance Strategy and the establishment of Environment Information Australia.

They have made recommendations which includes policy makers and businesses prioritising on improving sustainable initiatives that lead to net zero emissions to benefit Australia’s economy and respond to the urgency of addressing climate change.

Consultation

The report highlights the importance of including the experiences of different groups—such as women, First Nations people, veterans, people with disability, and age cohorts—and different geographic locations, across all themes. The Government of Australia received 285 submissions in the first and second phases of public consultations with stakeholders and individuals. The report underscores the importance of feedback and consultation with the community and suggests ways to strengthen the indicators. The government and policy makers should consider community feedback in developing indicators that attract authenticity and alignment with new and existing policies and strategies.