DEEWR’s specialist economists, econometricians and applied statisticians provide public policy advice, program management, labour market analysis and social research in a variety of areas including:
- the operation and performance of the Australian economy and labour market, particularly within the context of increasing productivity and participation
- the impact of education assistance from early childhood education to post-secondary education
- the effectiveness of various types of employment assistance.
We want energetic graduates with strong technical knowledge, demonstrated skills in conceptual, applied and analytical thought, and strong communication and interpersonal skills. You need to have an inquisitive and questioning mind with the capacity to recognise and adapt to the inherent challenges of real-world analysis.
To be eligible, applicants must have completed, or be due to complete, a three-year undergraduate degree in economics, applied statistics or econometrics at an Australian university (or equivalent) by the end of the 2008 academic year.
As a graduate you will work with experienced statisticians, econometricians and economists, using data from real-life situations to apply your expertise and learn new skills.
As a specialist economist, you could be involved in:
- providing economic, education and labour market analysis for policy and program development
- advising the Ministers on the implications of macroeconomic developments for the labour market
- analysing the interaction between industrial and social safety nets.
As a specialist econometrician or applied statistician you could work on projects such as:
- analysing and reporting of post-assistance performance data, that examine the effectiveness and efficiency of labour market services or
- analysing the effectiveness of Australian Government employment initiatives through the application of robust statistical techniques, such as regression analysis.
Through the analysis and assessment of the impact of government programs and policies you will gain an understanding of:
- the practical application of sophisticated, statistical modelling such as the use of different types of regression techniques and calculation of net impact outcomes
- the range of research questions that can be answered through the longitudinal analysis of administrative data
- the important issues in the design of a survey and how it can add value to the analysis undertaken.
Through the economic and labour market analysis undertaken you will be able to:
- develop a greater appreciation and understanding of the emerging labour market trends through access to powerful economic data
- understand the key economic issues relevant to minimum wage determinations
- gain an insight into how economic analysis drives future directions in labour market policy
- increase your knowledge of skills shortages and migration issues and their impact on both economic and social indicators.
Specialist economists within the department are responsible for undertaking research and policy analysis of labour market trends and associated economic developments focusing on the demand and supply of labour.
The output from this analysis and research is reflected in influential publications such as the DEEWR Leading Indicator of Employment, Skills in Demand analysis and the Australian Labour Market Update. A range of the publications produced by specialist economists within the department can be found on the internet here 
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Research and analyses undertaken in relation to wages and workplace relation issues, including Trends in Enterprise Bargaining can be found on the internet here .
Key research papers produced by the econometricians and statisticians within the department include net impact analyses, small- and large-scale evaluations and results of analysis of data from specific surveys. Some of the papers produced can be found on the internet here .
Working as a specialist economist, econometrician or applied statistician within the public service will provide you with a unique opportunity to apply your technical skills on issues to do with the Australian economy, employment services market, education sector or Enterprise Bargaining Agreements and influence future policy and program development that will affect many Australians.
For example, there are:
- over two million Australians on income support
- 10.6 million Australians in employment
- nearly one million students in higher education
- over two million businesses in Australia.
This indicates the enormous coverage of Australians who are affected by the work undertaken within the department.
During the DEEWR Graduate Program, you will be provided with substantial mentoring and coaching throughout your placements to maximise your career potential. We provide courses in:
- APS writing skills
- project management
- policy formation and advice
- Senate and legislative process
- career directions.
In addition you will have access to specialist training and personal development in areas such as:
- use of data analysis software
- use of ABS data
- developing your understanding and application of research techniques.
On completion of the DEEWR Graduate Program, the department is committed to the ongoing professional development of its specialist staff. You will continue to have access to specialist training courses and other assistance measures to enable you to perform at your best. This may include scope to pursue further study options or opportunities to attend (and present at) labour economics or social policy research conferences.
There are significant career progression opportunities available through the department. A number of former specialist graduates have progressed to take on important leadership roles within a number of the key economics and applied statistics areas of the department.
In addition, the skills that you will apply and gain through the specialist stream are in short supply around Australia. This will invariably stand you in good stead in terms of your future career prospects.
After completing the graduate program, you will not only have had the opportunity to work with experienced statisticians / econometricians / economists, but you will also have learnt important skills that you will be able to apply throughout the rest of your professional career. From the breadth of experience that you will have been provided over the year, opportunity exists to pursue your professional career through working in one of the many areas of the department that makes use of your skills.
You could be involved in developing the Government’s submission to the Australian Fair Pay Commission for determination of minimum wages, undertaking sophisticated analysis of key leading indicators of the economy and labour market, or be involved in the evaluation of the effectiveness of assistance delivered to Australians. Each of these projects will provide you with a unique opportunity to play a key role in shaping the Government’s productivity and participation agenda going forward.