Senior Health Economist - Flexible Location

Use evidence to influence healthcare policy, funding reform and the future of physiotherapy in Australia.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is seeking a highly skilled Senior Health Economist to join our Policy and Government Relations team.

This newly created role offers a unique opportunity to shape national policy conversations through high-quality economic analysis, modelling and evidence generation. Your work will directly support advocacy initiatives, funding reform proposals and policy positions that strengthen access to physiotherapy and improve health outcomes for Australians.

This is a permanent, part time role (0.6 - 0.7 FTE) open to applicants Australia wide, with our largest office based in Camberwell, Victoria. We offer a flexible hybrid working model that supports work-life balance. Employees are provided with a company laptop and dedicated IT support to ensure they can work effectively from any location.

About us 

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is the peak body representing the interests of more than 36,000 physiotherapists in Australia. It does so by advocating for access to quality physiotherapy services, providing leadership in the wider health landscape, creating lifelong information and learning opportunities for members, and working with stakeholders to support members’ interests.

We are proud to be an Employer of Choice and recipient of the 2022 Association of the year award. We have a great working culture that is under pinned by our core values: 

Accountability   | Excellence   |  Collaboration   | Courage   | Respect

We invest in our people through professional development, supportive leadership and a flexible workplace that enables our team to thrive.

What We Offer

• Flexible hybrid working arrangements
• Work from anywhere in Australia
• Additional paid leave between Christmas and New Year
• One annual Doona Day
• Paid birthday leave
• Paid parental leave
• Annual flu vaccinations
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• Staff discounts and wellbeing initiatives
• Competitive remuneration package

About the role

Working within the Policy and Government Relations team and working under the strategic direction of the Strategy and Policy Specialist, you will provide specialist economic expertise to support the APA's Policy and Advocacy Blueprint.

You will lead economic analysis, modelling and evidence development to inform policy positions, advocacy priorities and reform proposals. Your work will help demonstrate the value of physiotherapy through robust evidence relating to health outcomes, workforce participation, healthcare utilisation and system sustainability.

This role will also play a key part in evaluating funding models, assessing policy reforms and identifying opportunities to improve healthcare access and outcomes across Australia.

Key Responsibilities

Economic Analysis and Evidence Development

• Develop economic models and undertake analysis to support policy development and advocacy priorities.
• Evaluate the costs, benefits and impacts of healthcare funding, workforce and reform initiatives.
• Analyse health system, workforce, utilisation and funding datasets to identify risks, opportunities and emerging trends.
• Develop business cases, investment propositions and evidence demonstrating the value of physiotherapy services.
• Maintain robust economic datasets, analytical frameworks and modelling approaches to strengthen APA's policy and advocacy capability.
• Translate complex economic findings into clear and actionable insights for decision-makers and stakeholders.

Policy and Advocacy Support

• Provide economic expertise for policy papers, submissions, position statements and consultation responses.
• Contribute to major advocacy initiatives, government submissions and funding proposals.
• Quantify the economic, workforce and health system impacts of policy reform options.
• Present analysis and evidence to senior leaders, government stakeholders and member groups.
• Support evidence-based policy development across the Policy and Advocacy Blueprint.

About you

You are an experienced health economist with strong analytical capability and a passion for applying evidence to improve healthcare policy and outcomes.

You are comfortable interpreting complex datasets, developing robust economic models and communicating insights to diverse audiences. You enjoy working collaboratively and can translate technical information into compelling evidence that informs policy, funding and advocacy decisions.

You Will Bring

• Significant experience in health economics, economic analysis, health services research or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in economic evaluation, cost-benefit analysis, funding analysis and modelling.
• Strong quantitative, analytical and research skills.
• Experience working with complex healthcare, workforce or funding datasets.
• Understanding of the Australian healthcare system and its funding arrangements.
• Experience applying economic evidence to inform policy, advocacy or strategic decision-making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.

Desirable

• Experience analysing Medicare, private health insurance or workforce datasets.
• Experience in healthcare, government, consulting, research or member-based organisations.
• Postgraduate qualifications in health economics, economics, public health, statistics or a related discipline.

Essential Requirements

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in health economics, economics, public health, statistics or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Full Australian working rights.

Ready to Make an Impact?

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter via the 'Apply now' button.

For further information, please contact recruitment@australian.physio using the subject line: Senior Health Economist - Flexible Location enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A full position description is attached.

The APA is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and actively encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply.

Only those successful in the selection process will be contacted.