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How to Become a Health Economist: Australian Careers in Health

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What is a Health Economist?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a Health Economist?

A health economist uses economic analysis to guide healthcare decisions in Australia. They assess the value of health programs, policies, and treatments. Their work helps governments and organisations get better outcomes from limited budgets.

Health economists work across many sectors. Federal and state health departments, pharmaceutical companies, research institutes, and consulting firms all employ them. Day-to-day work includes data analysis, cost modelling, and briefing policy makers and clinicians.

A key part of the role in Australia is health technology assessment (HTA). This process checks whether new medicines, devices, and procedures are worth public funding. Both the PBAC and MSAC use economic submissions from health economists. These committees make funding recommendations to the Australian Government.

The career suits people who enjoy working with numbers and want their work to create real change. Strong writing skills matter as much as data skills. Findings must be clear to a wide audience.

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Career snapshots For Health Economists

Health economists in Australia work mainly in Canberra, Sydney, and Melbourne. Most roles are full-time and permanent. The average salary is around $113,000 a year. Entry-level positions start near $81,000, and senior specialists typically earn around $130,000 (ERI SalaryExpert, 2026). The profession is specialised and in consistent demand. Growth is expected as health systems face increasing pressure to justify spending with evidence.

What will I do?

Health economists shape how resources are used in the Australian healthcare system. They analyse data, build models, and provide evidence to support better policy decisions.

  • Conduct cost-effectiveness analyses – compare the costs and outcomes of treatments or programs to guide funding decisions.
  • Build economic models – use statistical tools to model the long-term costs and outcomes of health policies.
  • Prepare HTA submissions – compile economic evidence for PBAC or MSAC reviews of new medicines and medical devices.
  • Analyse health data – work with large datasets to find patterns in costs, outcomes, and service use.
  • Write reports and briefings – present findings clearly to policymakers, clinicians, and senior stakeholders.
  • Work with research teams – collaborate with epidemiologists, biostatisticians, and public health researchers.
  • Evaluate health programs – assess whether existing programs meet their goals and deliver value for money.
  • Keep up with policy changes – monitor changes to Australian health policy, funding frameworks, and HTA guidelines.
  • Advise on resource allocation – help organisations and government bodies direct limited funding for the greatest benefit.

What skills do I need?

Health economists need both strong data skills and clear writing skills. Core work includes data analysis, statistical modelling, and comparing costs to health outcomes. They use tools such as R, Stata, and Excel to look at health data and build models.

Writing well is just as key. Health economists must explain their findings to policy makers, clinicians, and managers with no economics background. Reports and talks must be clear and backed by evidence.

The work also needs sharp thinking and close attention to detail. Most health economists work in mixed teams with researchers, statisticians, and policy staff. The ability to run several projects at once is also expected.

Skills/attributes

  • Statistical analysis and econometric modelling
  • Cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis
  • Health technology assessment
  • Data analysis using tools such as R, Stata, or Excel
  • Economic evaluation and budget impact modelling
  • Research design and literature review
  • Report writing and data presentation
  • Knowledge of Australian health policy and funding systems
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving
  • Collaboration in multidisciplinary teams
  • Project management
  • Clear verbal and written communication
  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Adaptability and ongoing learning

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