CofFEE's membership is drawn from the disciplines of economics, politics, sociology and geography.

[2] CofFEE states that it seeks to undertake and promote research into the goals of full employment, price stability and achieving an economy that delivers equitable outcomes for all.

The stated main aims of the Centre are to "promote research aimed at restoring full employment", and achieving "an economy that delivers equitable outcomes for all", and also determining how effective regional labour markets can be in creating employment for the disadvantaged.

Research programs of public interest include: work on the job guarantee scheme and public sector employment, in general, in OECD countries; the development of alternative labour-market indicators (hours-based measures of labour underutilisation); creating effective employment arrangements for youth with psychosis; creating effective local labour-markets; advancing spatial research by reconstructing Australia’s economic geography; and a multi-level modelling approach for understanding "socio-economic opportunity and vulnerability.

"[3] CofFEE researchers are currently working with the International Labour Organization on a project evaluating the public works employment program in South Africa and assessing the feasibility of establishing a coherent minimum wage system in South Africa.