Government

You could work for a health related department in either the Federal or a State government. A major focus for government is the evaluation of policy to ensure health care options are of high-quality, safe, cost, effective, sustainable, safe and equitable.

You may be asked to: evaluate a submission for the inclusion of services in the Medical Benefits Schedule; commission a consultant’s report and then clearly translate their findings for use by policymakers;or determine the cost effectiveness of population health interventions to inform policy on health promotion

Health economist, Federal government department

Brad joined a Federal government department as a cadet after completing his Bachelor of Economics.

In his first year he completed a postgraduate diploma in Health Economics and Evaluation during which time his course fees were paid whilst receiving a small salary. The diploma required a 3 month work placement on a health economics related project which he completed at the Department.

To complete his cadet training, Brad worked on one 6-month placement and two 3-month placements in various areas of health economics at the Department. His projects included the evaluation of public health interventions and pharmaceuticals.

Brad has now been with this department for over four years and is in a middle management position. He currently works in the Population Health Division and his key responsibilities include assisting the Division with program evaluations and managing consultancies for health economic projects