The 2016 federal Budget will be delivered on Tuesday 3 May and Charles Sturt University (CSU) has experts who can provide commentary and analysis.

Taxation and welfare reform

CSU senior research fellow at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, in Canberra, Dr Brendan Long is an economist with more than two decades of experience in key government agencies, including Treasury. His latest research has focused on the economic, social and ethical implications of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

"The Budget will probably align the corporate tax rate with the current lower rate for small business," said Dr Long.

"The personal income tax cut may not be very large. The $80 000 for the 37 cent tax rates might be raised but this won't mean much to taxpayers if it doesn't reach $100 000.

"I'm also keen to see if the NDIS will be fully funded in the forward estimates.

"There's likely to be a crackdown on welfare fraud and there could also be some strengthened participation requirements for benefits other than the Newstart Allowance. The government may also toughen the eligibility criteria for the Disability Support Pension.

"In regard to higher education, there could be a cap on HECS funded course fees, and a move to reduce the level of HECS debt repayments.  There may also be cut backs to the student loans for TAFE based courses that are not directly linked to employment opportunities."

Politics

Associate Professor Dominic O'Sullivan is the Associate Head of CSU's School of Humanities and Social Sciences and is based in Canberra.

"There's a lot of pressure on Treasurer Scott Morrison to deliver a vote winning Budget, recognising also the coalition's long-term desire to reduce the deficit," said Professor O'Sullivan.