Principal Economist, EL2, Specialist Advice and Services (EA2026/222)

ACCC; Adelaide; Remote; AUD 148,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

ACCC seeks a Principal Economist to lead an in-house economics team, delivering expert advice across competition law enforcement, merger assessments and economic regulation. You will guide qualitative and quantitative analysis, craft papers and participate in high-stakes inquiries.

The role requires senior leadership, strategic thinking and clear communication. You will work within a collaborative, supportive culture that values flexibility and inclusion, with opportunities to influence policy

Qualifications

• Seven or more years’ experience as an economic adviser and leading projects.
• Strong knowledge of competition economics and relevant frameworks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to supervise a team and deliver high-quality economic analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small team of professionals and model leadership behaviours.
• Provide expert economic support and recommendations to the ACCC.
• Analyse trends and forecast impacts of economic changes for advice.
• Prepare papers, reports, presentations and submissions for a range of audiences.
• Collaborate to apply economic frameworks in investigations and enforcement.

Skills

Leading an economics team

Economics expertise in competition/mer

Education

Post-graduate economics degree

Job description

• Do you want to work at an agency where each day reveals new opportunities to work on some of the biggest issues facing consumers and businesses and have opportunities to pursue new and exciting pathways?
• Do you want to work at a place where smart and dedicated people from all walks of life collaborate to work on meaningful matters?
• Do you want to lead a team of economists and provide expert economic advice and analysis that shapes competition law enforcement, merger assessments, economic regulation and market inquiries?

• Do you want to work at an agency where each day reveals new opportunities to work on some of the biggest issues facing consumers and businesses and have opportunities to pursue new and exciting pathways?
• Do you want to work at a place where smart and dedicated people from all walks of life collaborate to work on meaningful matters?
• Do you want to lead a team of economists and provide expert economic advice and analysis that shapes competition law enforcement, merger assessments, economic regulation and market inquiries?

Then this is the place for you! At the ACCC, we’re proud of the impact we can make together. We understand the responsibilities and challenges that come with a fast moving and ever-changing environment. Our high performing culture is built on a foundation of care, support and inclusion. It’s why we’re driven by connection and collaboration, sharing our skills, knowledge and support with each other freely and frequently. It’s why we prioritise the wellbeing of our people and empower them to work autonomously, flexibly and courageously. At the ACCC, we believe the best version of you is the one that’s true to who you are – and that’s the you we want working alongside us.

We value flexibility, and all roles can be performed from any capital city in a state or territory or Townsville and are available on a full-time, part-time or job-share basis.

Applicants from diverse backgrounds including First Nations peoples, people with disability and those from different cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate will be appointed as an ongoing EL2 and may attract an additional allowance via an IFA depending on the skills and experience of the candidate. Please note that all IFAs are reviewed annually in accordance with the IFA policy and are not ongoing.

What You Will Do As The Principal Economist

The ACCC’s specialist in-house economists provide specific economic expertise on best practice economic theory and analysis applying to investigation work in competition law enforcement, merger assessment, the review of authorisation applications and notifications, economic regulation functions and market studies and inquiries. These opportunities relate to providing economic advice with respect to either or both of the competition and regulatory roles of the ACCC.

The positions require strong conceptual and analytical skills together with practical experience and an ability to draw insights based on analysis of facts and data.

As The Principal Economist, You Will

• Lead a small team of professionals, role modelling our leadership behaviours, supporting a professional and collaborative working environment, coaching, giving continuous feedback, resolving conflict and facilitating career development.
• Provide expert professional economic support and recommendations (economic advice, carry out both qualitative and quantitative analysis, guidance and research) to the ACCC.
• Analyse economic trends and relationships, and forecast the impacts of economic changes to inform advice and recommendations.
• Prepare written papers, reports, presentations, speeches and submissions on economic issues for presentation within the ACCC, to the Commission and external parties.
• Work collaboratively within teams to employ economic frameworks to assist in investigations and enforcement of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

About You

All candidates are expected to meet the APS Integrated Leadership Profile (ILS) for the classification advertised. Follow the link for more information on the ILS. This role in particular requires:

• Demonstrated experience and/or expertise in competition economics or the ability to demonstrate understanding and application of the economic frameworks relevant to competition economics.
• Demonstrated experience guiding an economics team or similar role in a fast-paced and large complex people-centred organisation.
• Seven or more years’ experience as an economic adviser and be capable of leading the provision of economic advice to projects, under the general oversight of the ACCC’s Chief Economist and Deputy Chief Economists.
• Sound knowledge of the ACCC’s role in administering the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and the economic principles relevant to this.
• Very strong communication, advocacy and influencing skills, and the ability to present in a clear, concise and persuasive manner with people at different levels.
• Exceptional written communication skills, including the ability to produce high quality, accurate and tailored documents.
• Capacity to work effectively and co-operatively in a team environment.
• Ability to achieve strong results, showing self-motivation, organisation skills, collaboration and personal responsibility for the accuracy and quality of work produced.
• A post-graduate degree in Economics in industrial organisation, applied microeconomics, econometrics or similar fields.

To find out more about us and the role, please read the Candidate Kit.

Salary: $148,287 - $173,778 (plus 15.4% superannuation)

Contact Officer: Richard York, 03 9290 1993

Applications Close: 11:00pm (AEDT), Sunday 15 November 2026