Make a real difference to the people of NSW
If you are interested in how money, policy and smart decisions shape the state around you, consider working as an economist at NSW Treasury.
Economists at NSW Treasury help guide big decisions for NSW, including:
- funding of schools and hospitals
- investment in transport and infrastructure
- addressing housing affordability
- managing the environment and energy transition
- strengthening productivity.
It is a role where your ideas can help make a real difference in people’s lives.
What to study to become an economist
View the high school subjects and university degrees that can help you on this path.
Essential subjects
- Economics - The most directly relevant subject. Helps you understand how markets and governments work.
- Mathematics (advanced or extension) - Essential for data analysis and economic modelling.
- English (standard or advanced) - Strong writing and communication skills are critical for explaining complex ideas clearly.
Recommended
- Business Studies - Helps you understand economic systems, finance and decision-making in organisations.
- Legal Studies - Useful for understanding how laws and policies impact economic decisions.
- Geography - Helps build an understanding of population, resources and environmental economics.
- Bachelor of Economics
- Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Economics or Finance)
- Bachelor of Political Economy
- Bachelor of Business (with an Economics major)
- Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Economics or Public Policy)
- Bachelor of Mathematics or Statistics (for those interested in economic modelling or data-heavy roles)
- Double degrees (such as Economics and Law, or Commerce and Science) – great for broadening your skill set
- Honours in Economics
- Master of Economics
- Master of Public Policy or Public Administration
- PhD in Economics – for research-intensive or leadership roles
Build your career at NSW Treasury
Grow your skills and critical thinking while seeing firsthand the inner workings of government.
If you enjoy problem solving and analysis, NSW Treasury is where you can build a career that is both intellectually rewarding and socially impactful.
We support career development through mentoring, training and opportunities to take on challenging, meaningful projects.
Join our early career program
Interested in pursuing a career as an economist at NSW Treasury? The Associate Economist early career program is a great place to start.
The 12-month program help you to develop practical skills and experience through structured training, extensive support, mentorship and networking opportunities.
How to apply
To apply, you will need to have either:
- relevant tertiary qualifications in economics, public policy, finance, law or other related disciplines
- professional experience in providing policy advice or research, or economic analysis in a data driven environment.
The NSW Treasury Associate Economist early career program run every year. It’s advertised on iworkfor.nsw.gov.au – the NSW Government recruitment website. Interviews run between October and December, with successful applicants starting in February the following year.
Quotes from our recent graduates
“The NSW Treasury Associate Economist program was an excellent and enriching opportunity for professional discovery at the start of my career. It allowed me to work across many different niches in economics … while contributing to work that was meaningful and genuinely had an impact.”
“I really valued the opportunity to work across a variety of areas and topics. One of the aspects that made this such a great experience for me was the knowledgeable, friendly and supportive colleagues at NSW Treasury.”
“It gave me hands-on experience working on policy issues that impact people across NSW. The support, training and friendly culture make it a great place to learn and grow.”
“Four years on and I'm still working at Treasury, as there's always an opportunity to learn something new.”
One choice, endless opportunities
Join NSW Treasury and open the door to a career with the largest employer in the southern hemisphere. Be part of meaningful work that makes a real difference to the people of NSW.
To learn more about us and our work, visit: