Regulatory & Cost-Benefit Analysis

Assessing Economic Viability

Our in-depth understanding of regulatory systems allows us to provide decisive evidence-based analysis to help decision-makers make informed decisions.

We provide practical advice – from designing regulatory systems and public interventions to detailed modelling and implementation.

Our expertise is frequently sought out by government departments, regulators and regulated entities to provide specialist support and advice on the potential impacts of regulatory and government decisions.

Our highly skilled team includes economists, former senior public officials, former regulators and skilled data analysts.

What we do

  • Cost-benefit analysis
  • Regulatory impact statements
  • Advice on economic regulation including price-quality regulation, market structure and regulatory interventions
  • Competition and market analysis
  • Complex modelling
  • Regulatory and operational strategies
  • Compliance and monitoring frameworks
  • Prioritisation and investment decision-making
  • Risk identification
  • Business cases.

 

Examples of our work in regulatory and cost-benefit analysis
  • Cost-benefit analysis of an organic waste collection service
  • Pricing for third-party access to water infrastructure services
  • Cost-benefit analysis of proposed building system regulations
  • Regulatory Impact Statement for the Kermadec Marine Sanctuary
  • Modelling wholesale price risks for downstream investment decisions
  • Regulatory impact statement for land information regulations
  • Calculating the cost burden on developers to consent infrastructure projects
  • Cost-benefit analysis of transmission pricing proposal
  • Cost-benefit analysis of community recycling centres
  • Cost-benefit information to support a regulatory impact statement on National Environmental Standards for Drinking Water
  • Development of a cost-benefit analysis database for central government
  • Advice on the economic regulation of Three Waters services.

Examples of our work

Governance Framework and Regulatory Improvement

Design and delivery advisory for a program to reduce risk for a maritime regulator. Program design was based on development and agreement of a shared risk model between the regulator, port and industry stakeholders.

Implementation of the Victorian Business Acceleration Fund

Assisting the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance with the delivery of the Victorian Business Acceleration Fund which comprises nearly 100 individual projects aimed at reducing the cost of business and encouraging economic growth.

Major Government Infrastructure Program

Program design for a major, multi-year departmental change program, including development and implementation of required program controls.

Local Government Grants Program Governance Review

Review and recommended improvements to governance through the full lifecycle of grant program design, project selection and allocation through to delivery and benefits realisation.

Major Government Infrastructure Program

Program design for a major, multi-year departmental change program, including development and implementation of required program controls.

Sapere Good Governance Guide

Based on years of project and program assessment, assurance and delivery, the Sapere Good Governance Guide helps establish the right governance and decision making for major initiatives as a way of maximising success and avoiding common challenges that can lead to project failure.

Good Governance Guide
We work with our clients to ensure the evidence base is fit for purpose and frequently extends beyond conventional methods to provide tailored analysis and data sets.

Key contacts
David Graham
Dr Richard Tooth
David Moore
Sally Carrick
Melissa Skilbeck
Michelle Jacques

Some of our recent articles of interest

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City skyline at dusk with illuminated office buildings reflecting on calm water, solid progress rising above the hills in the background, beneath a dark blue sky with scattered clouds.

Shaky ground or solid progress?

  • Client: Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment
In this report Sapere evaluated MBIE’s earthquake-prone building system, finding improved national consistency and progress but ongoing challenges with resources, communication, and timely remediation.
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Large green fern leaves frame a dark, shadowy center, creating a tunnel-like effect in dense jungle foliage—much like the journey to seek support through a mental health helpline, where hope emerges from darkness.

Social Return on Investment (SROI) of a mental health helpline

  • Client: Whakarongorau Aotearoa / New Zealand Telehealth
Sapere was asked to undertake an SROI of a mental healthline, finding the service delivers a 9:1 return, demonstrating substantial societal and health system value across diverse user needs.
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A stethoscope used for both private and public health.

Sunset review of the regulations for Victorian private health service establishments

  • Client: Victorian Department of Health
This report analyses proposed changes to Victoria's Health Service Establishment Regulations, focusing on improving clinical governance, safety, and quality. The RIS reviewed the impact of these changes and provided recommendations.
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Close-up of a pine tree branch with needles and an immature pine cone. The young pine cone is slightly pinkish and textured. The background is blurred, with shades of green, creating a bokeh effect.

Unveiling the intrinsic value of nature

Explore the value of nature beyond its aesthetic appeal. Environmental valuation frameworks and techniques allow us to understand the economic value of nature and make informed decisions in environmental policy and management.
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An example of climate risk: A barren red desert landscape with scattered dry branches and sparse bushes under a partly cloudy blue sky. Bushes and small trees are spread across the red sandy ground. The scene conveys an arid and dry environment.

How can governments effectively assess and manage climate risk to ensure a sustainable future?

  • Client: Department of Treasury (Western Australia)
Sapere provided expert advice on the design of a Climate Risk Framework for the WA government, exploring options for a staged approach, and aligning with international standards for climate risk disclosure, to support Western Australia's climate resilience efforts.
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A row of colorful townhouses stands under a bright blue sky, each adorned in shades of pink, white, blue, green, and yellow. With large windows, small balconies, and matching awnings funded through housing agencies' support for social housing initiatives. Fluffy white clouds are scattered in the sky.

Growing social housing—Building Financial Capacity of Housing Agencies program evaluation

  • Client: Department of Treasury and Finance (Victoria)
The Victorian Treasury offered A$1.1 billion in low-cost, long-term low-interest loans and state guarantees to community housing agencies. Our evaluation of this program managed the complexity of complementary social housing funding and financing programs in our analysis.
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A petri dish contains a mix of blue and white capsules and round white tablets, arranged on a smooth, reflective surface with a light blue background. The scene conveys a clinical and sterile environment, highlighting the precision required for Victoria's Real Time Prescription Monitoring system.

Expanding Victoria’s Real Time Prescription Monitoring (RTPM) System

  • Client: Victorian Department of Health
SafeScript is the Victorian Government’s RTPM system. It enables prescribing registered medical practitioners, nurse practitioners and dispensing pharmacists to access accurate and up-to-date information regarding a patient’s medication history with respect to specific high-risk medicines in real time.
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A worker in a blue shirt and orange safety vest and helmet points towards a large piece of industrial machinery inside a spacious factory. The machinery consists of several large metal components arranged in a cylindrical structure.

Making New Zealand safer: regulating the engineering profession

  • Client: Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment
Sapere prepared a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) and cost-benefit analysis (CBA) to support MBIE’s proposal for an occupational regulatory regime for engineers.
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