OSCA 232333

Economist

Overview

  • Employed persons

    3,400

  • Employment status

    82.8% Full time

    17.2% Part time

  • Median age

    38 years

  • Employment by sex

    34.8% Female

    65.2% Male

    Moderately male dominated

  • Indigenous employment share

    0.5%

  • Main employing industry

    Public Administration and Safety

Indicator Economist Total employment
Employed persons 3,400 12,049,400
Median age 38 years 40 years
Full-time share 82.8% 64.2%
Part-time share 17.2% 35.8%
Female employment share 34.8% 48.5%
Male employment share 65.2% 51.5%
Gender segregation intensity scale Moderately male dominated Gender balanced
Indigenous employment share 0.5% 2.2%
Main employing industry Public Administration and Safety Health Care and Social Assistance
Note: N/A values indicate data are not available due to confidentiality or data reliability requirements.

Occupation overview

Economists research and analyse the production and distribution of goods and services, and people's spending and financial behaviour. They use this information to predict trends, develop theories, and provide advice to governments and organisations on economic policy matters.

What the occupation involves

  • Analyses relationships between economic variables, and studies the effects of government fiscal and monetary policies, expenditure, taxation and other budgetary policies on the economy and the community
  • Researches, analyses and assesses the effects of labour market programs and industry policies and programs on economic growth, welfare, education and training
  • Investigates international and national economies and markets, and particular features such as industries, regions and socioeconomic groups
  • Studies workplace issues such as enterprise bargaining and wage fixation, and the effect of workplace policies on productivity and economic growth
  • Analyses trends and advises on economic issues such as taxation levels, prices, employment and unemployment, imports and exports, and interest and exchange rates
  • Forecasts change in the economic environment for short-term budgeting, long-term planning, and investment evaluation
  • Formulates recommendations, policies and plans for the economy, corporate strategies and investment
  • Monitors economic data to assess and advise on the effectiveness and suitability of monetary and fiscal policies

Common occupation titles

  • Economic Analyst
  • Economic Consultant

Specialisations

  • Agricultural Economist
  • Econometrician
  • Economic Forecaster
  • Health Economist
  • Labour Market Economist
  • Land Economist
  • Taxation Economist

Note: Specialisations are examples of roles in within this occupation and are not separate OSCA occupations.

Skill level (education and experience level)

Skill level 1
equivalent to a university level qualification (Bachelor degree or higher).

Note: While skill levels are described using formal education levels, some people use a combination of informal learning, on-the-job training and personal experience to achieve an equivalent level.

Licensing or registration requirements

No licensing or registration requirements are listed for this occupation.

OSCA structure

Employment

On this page

    Industries

    Top 10 most common industries, 2021

    Economist Total employment
    Industry Share of occupation Industry Share of occupation
    Public Administration and Safety 35.8% Health Care and Social Assistance 14.5%
    Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 27.4% Retail Trade 9.1%
    Financial and Insurance Services 11.7% Construction 8.9%
    Education and Training 5.1% Education and Training 8.8%
    Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services 3.2% Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 7.8%
    Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services 3.0% Public Administration and Safety 6.6%
    Health Care and Social Assistance 1.7% Accommodation and Food Services 6.5%
    Wholesale Trade 1.6% Manufacturing 5.9%
    Mining 1.4% Transport, Postal and Warehousing 4.5%
    Other Services 1.2% Financial and Insurance Services 3.7%
    Note: N/A values indicate data are not available due to confidentiality or data reliability requirements.

    States and territories

    Employment distribution by states and territories, 2021

    • New South Wales

      35.5%

    • Victoria

      25.7%

    • Queensland

      13.5%

    • South Australia

      4.5%

    • Tasmania

      1.1%

    • Northern Territory

      0.6%

    • Australian Capital Territory

      12.9%

    Economist Total employment
    State / Territory Employment Share of occupation Employment Share of occupation
    New South Wales 1,200 35.5% 3,684,200 30.6%
    Victoria 880 25.7% 3,162,900 26.2%
    Queensland 460 13.5% 2,444,100 20.3%
    South Australia 150 4.5% 839,400 7.0%
    Western Australia 220 6.6% 1,306,200 10.8%
    Tasmania 40 1.1% 254,700 2.1%
    Northern Territory 20 0.6% 107,000 0.9%
    Australian Capital Territory 440 12.9% 248,600 2.1%
    Note: N/A values indicate data are not available due to confidentiality or data reliability requirements.

    Age and sex

    Employment distibution by age group and sex, 2021

    Economist

    Total employment

    Age group Economist Total employment
    15–24 years 8.7% 14.3%
    25–34 years 30.6% 22.7%
    35–44 years 27.8% 22.3%
    45–54 years 17.4% 20.4%
    55–64 years 10.9% 15.3%
    65–74 years 4.0% 4.3%
    75 years and over 0.7% 0.6%
    Note: N/A values indicate data are not available due to confidentiality or data reliability requirements.
    Sex Economist Total employment
    Female 34.8% 48.5%
    Male 65.2% 51.5%
    Note: N/A values indicate data are not available due to confidentiality or data reliability requirements.

    On this page

      OSCA occupation profiles data

      This file contains data available from the OSCA Occupation Profile page.

      Use of this data must include the relevant attribution text provided.

      OSCA Occupation data - 2021 Census.xlsx

      xlsx 1236447

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      Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA)

      Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) is the skill-based classification used to categorise occupations across the Australian labour market. OSCA is used to define occupations across all official occupational statistics. OSCA replaces the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).

      Each job is classified to one, and only one, group of jobs at each level of the classification with no overlaps. This prevents the accidental double-counting of roles within the Australian labour market. For more information about OSCA, visit the What is OSCA information page, or the ABS website.

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