"[13] CIS is affiliated with the United States–based Atlas Network, which advocates free market economic policies across the world.

[14][15][16] In 2023, the CIS partnered with other think tanks including the Institute of Public Affairs and LibertyWorks, conservative lobby group Advance and fossil fuel companies to coordinate the No campaign during the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum.

The CIS is funded by donations, membership subscriptions, and book and event sales from individuals, companies and charitable trusts.

[18] Tom Switzer has been executive director of CIS since 2018, succeeding founder Greg Lindsay who had held the position for forty-two years.

[19] Notable individuals in the research staff include Gary Banks,[20] Salvatore Babones,[21] Nyunggai Warren Mundine and Steven Schwartz.