How we help

Discover how the Behavioural Insights Unit (BIU) applies expertise from behavioural science and creates evidence to help NSW Government agencies through evidence checks, audits, tests and evaluation.

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Enhancing service delivery through behavioural insights

The NSW Behavioural Insights Unit uses the latest research into how people think and act in the real world to help solve diverse challenges and improve the effectiveness of public policy and service delivery. 

The Unit works closely with NSW Government agencies to research, design, deliver and evaluate services and policies. 

Our services

There are four main ways we help NSW Government agencies:

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Rapid advice and evidence checks

Our tailored services include rapid evidence reviews and tests of underlying behavioural assumptions or challenges. We regularly host support clinics to tease out and pressure test behavioural challenges or you can contact us about evidence checks.

We advise on a range of challenges such as increasing take up of training and supporting cutomers in distress.

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Reduce sludge, improve services

Our sludge toolkit and expert support assists services to identify, quantify and remove the barriers (the ‘sludge’) that get in the way of people experiencing a better, more inclusive and effective service.  

Our sludge audits have been effective in reducing barriers and burdens in processes such as licence applications and health check appointments.  

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Build and test behavioural interventions

We support agencies to build and test effective ways to change behaviour and improve citizen outcomes. We use the most rigorous methodology we can, often randomised controlled trials (RCTs), to determine whether the intervention works and how it can be implemented.

We develop behavioural interventions to complex challenges such as increasing women’s participation in trades and increasing engagement in justice programs.

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Support a behaviour-smart public sector

We grow NSW public sector confidence and capability in using behavioural sciences and economics to improve citizen outcomes.  

We organise Behaviour Smart Bootcamps to solve challenges and deliver tailored workshops to apply behavioural insights to your service delivery.

Recent examples of our work

Education - rural

Three times more teacher applications for rural and remote schools - more than 100 placed.

Education - apprentices

16% fewer apprentice and trainee droupouts - a 7:1 return on investment.  

Health

34% fewer missed hospital appointments.

Justice

25% fewer no-shows of DV defendants at court.

Diversity

27% more women reapplying for leadership roles. Gender gap in reapplication reduced from 45% to 4%. 

Environment

More free trees given out and time taken for applications reduced by 73%.

Contact us

Fill out our form to make an enquiry, learn about our research or get help with your agency. 

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