For more than two decades, APO has connected policymakers, researchers, and communities with the evidence they need. In this blog, Director Brigid van Wanrooy unveils APO’s return to our original name – Australian Policy Online – alongside a sharpened focus, a refreshed look and the trusted service you’ve come to rely on on.
Australian Policy Online: a new chapter in evidence-informed policy
In 2024 APO partnered with McKinnon to elevate our shared mission to empower better governments for a stronger Australia. This strategic partnership has sharpened our purpose and reaffirmed our role as a cornerstone of the policy ecosystem – connecting policymakers, researchers and practitioners with the knowledge they need to drive meaningful change. We have honed our vision for APO.
APO’s mission is to be an indispensable tool for governments delivering evidence-based policymaking in Australia.
We’re proud to unveil a refreshed identity that reflects this renewed focus. We’ve modernised APO to put clarity and accessibility at the forefront. We’re returning to our original name: Australian Policy Online. This change says a lot about who we are and what we do – it speaks to our unwavering commitment to supporting Australian policy development.
But this isn’t just a makeover. With McKinnon’s support we recently launched APOgov – a free, purpose-built service for public servants that provides direct access to the latest research and evidence. It’s a new tool designed to strengthen evidence-informed decision-making across all levels of government.
Back to the name that says it all
Founded in 2002 at Swinburne University, Australian Policy Online was rebranded in 2018 as the Analysis & Policy Observatory to reflect our growing international reach. But over time, we realised something important: our Australian identity isn’t a limitation – it’s a strength. We’re proud to be a product of Australia’s academic foresight and innovation.
We’ve heard it often: “I wish there were an APO in our country.” From international admiration to out-of-office replies in French, it’s clear our reach extends far beyond Australia. But our name — Australian Policy Online — makes our purpose unmistakable. We here to serve Australia, while drawing on the best global thinking to tackle the nation’s most pressing policy challenges.
And for some of you, this won’t feel like a change at all. You never stopped calling us Australian Policy Online.
Looking forward
APO is more focused than ever on building the infrastructure Australia’s policy ecosystem needs to thrive. With over 400,000 annual website users in Australia and New Zealand, 15,000+ newsletter subscribers and a growing suite of curated collections, we’re helping shape a future where evidence-informed decisions are the norm – not the exception.
This is more than a refreshed identity – it’s a recommitment to our purpose. And we’re just getting started.
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