Senior Economist

Orchard Talent; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is seeking a Senior Economist to join its Economics team. You will provide high-quality economic analysis across complex energy market and policy issues and advise on policy projects and rule changes.

You will apply economic expertise to support evidence-based decision making, coaching and mentoring junior staff within a highly skilled environment. This role offers national impact and engagement with senior decision makers.

Qualifications

• 4–7 years applying economics in policy, research or regulatory settings.
• Knowledge of competition, regulation and energy market economics.
• Ability to translate data and models into practical advice.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement with diverse audiences.
• Economics degree, honours preferred.

Responsibilities

• Providing practical economic advice to Commissioners, executive leadership and policy teams.
• Developing analytical frameworks to address complex policy and regulatory issues.
• Critically reviewing economic analysis, data, reports and submissions.
• Communicating complex economic concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Economic analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Data interpretation

Communication skills

Regulatory economics

Education

Honours-level economics degree

Job description

The organisation

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is an independent statutory body dedicated to enhancing Australia’s future productivity and living standards. By contributing to a decarbonising, affordable, and reliable energy system, the AEMC plays a key role in shaping the National Electricity Market, the natural gas market, and related retail markets. The Commission is also a trusted advisor to the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council, providing strategic guidance on energy issues.

The opportunity

The AEMC is seeking a Senior Economist to join its Economics team, providing high-quality economic analysis and advice across complex energy market and policy issues.

You will apply economic expertise across policy projects, rule changes and reviews, providing practical advice to support evidence-based decision making.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing practical economic advice to Commissioners, executive leadership and policy teams.
• Developing analytical frameworks to address complex policy and regulatory issues.
• Critically reviewing economic analysis, data, reports and submissions.
• Communicating complex economic concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

You will also contribute to building economic capability through knowledge sharing, coaching and mentoring junior staff.

About you

You will be aneconomist with strong conceptual and analytical capability and an interest in applying economics to complex policy and regulatory challenges.

You will bring:

• 4 – 7 years experience in applying economics within policy, research and/or regulatory environments.
• Knowledge of competition, regulation and market economics, ideally within energy or similar markets.
• The ability to interpret complex data and economic models and translate findings into practical advice.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills at all levels, including with senior and non-technical audiences.
• Tertiary qualifications in economics or a relevant discipline, preferably at Honours level.

What’s on offer

• Work on economic and policy issues with national impact.
• Help shape the future direction of Australia’s energy markets.
• Engage with senior decision makers, Commissioners and industry stakeholders.
• Work within a highly skilled economics and policy environment.
• Build expertise across energy market design, competition and regulation.

Diversity and inclusion

The AEMC is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to being an inclusive, diverse, flexible and supportive workplace where differences are valued and where all their people can thrive.

We invite candidates of all gender expressions, ages, ethnicities, and other culturally diverse groups to apply.

Applications close Sunday 29 November 2026.

The Orchard Talent Group acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.