Latest News
An Evolving Record
A Centennial History of The Economic Society of Australia, Alex Millmow
This centennial history of the Economic Society of Australia is much more than an administrative record. It’s the story of how the Society has evolved since 1925 against a background of rapidly changing trends in the Australian economics profession and profound changes within the economy.
Up-skilling is the best way to boost productivity: leading economists
Poll 68
Australia's top economists overwhelmingly believe there’s no better way to boost productivity than to boost skills. Offered a choice of seven measures identified by the Economic Society of Australia as candidates for achieving the Treasurer’s aim of boosting Australia’s historically low rate of productivity growth, 26 of the 45 economists polled picked boosting skills and workforce capability, almost twice as many as picked the next most-popular option: promoting innovation and research and development.
Responses (43)
ACE 2026 - Hold the Date
ACE 2026 will be held in Canberra, ACT from 7-10 July 2026 at University of Canberra and will cover a full range of topical economic issues. It is targeted at economists in academe, government and business and will cover Climate change and environmental externalities; Challenges in social policy; How government can best implement policies in an environment of declining trust and misinformation; and Contemporary economic issues such as raising productivity and tax reform. The conference will feature plenary sessions with international speakers and concurrent sessions with domestic presenters.
Awards 2025
A number of prestigious awards were bestowed upon worthy economists at ACE2025 which held in Sydney during July.
Economists eye costs of a failed energy transition
Poll 67
Poll finds support for aligning net zero, reliability and price,
Peter Martin
Responses (996)Invitation to Participate in Survey for Economic Society of Australia (ESA) NSW Branch
Survey closed on 15 June 2025. The NSW Branch will be reviewing the findings from the survey over the coming months
CBA Forum - catch up on the recordings
If you missed the ESA NSW Branch Cost Benefit Analysis Forum this year, you can catch up on the recordings. Visit this page.
Events
Eminent Speaker Series: Prof. Jesse Rothstein - ONLINE ONLY
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday Mar 17, 2026, 1:00 pm
How do neighborhoods and firms affect intergenerational mobility?
Children’s incomes tend to resemble their parents', a relationship that is particularly pronounced in higher-inequality societies like the United States. However, the mechanisms behind this intergenerational earnings transmission are not well understood. We use a new data resource to study intergenerational economic transmission in the U.S., focusing on two potentially important factors: neighborhoods and firms.
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Young Economists Network (YEN): After Work Drinks in March
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday Mar 19, 2026, 5:30 pm
The ESA and Young Economists Network (YEN) invites you to After Work Drinks in March
Join us for a relaxed after work drinks in the CBD on Thursday 19 March. No long speeches, no agenda, just an informal chance to meet new people, catch up with familiar faces, and ease into the evening with good conversation.
Come for 20 minutes or stay the whole time, whatever suits.
We are keeping numbers small to help conversations flow, so registrations are encouraged to ensure we have space.
We look forward to seeing you at our first After Work drinks of the year!
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The Trump Administration’s Tariffs: A Policy Primer
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Mar 25, 2026, 12:30 pm
Tariffs are back. After decades in the policy wilderness, tariffs are now front-page news.
Join Professor David Orsmond as he explores the new arguments for protectionism, how they compare with conventional economic thinking and what Australia should do to respond in this uncertain global trade climate.
Join in-person at 123 Pitt St, Sydney or Online. Please let us know how you plan to attend when registering.
The timing of this event is AEDT (SYD/CBR/MEL)
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NSW Treasury Distinguished Speaker David Hensher AM
Event Type: co-hosted event
Date: Thursday Apr 9, 2026, 1:00 pm
NSW Treasury and Economic Society of Australia NSW invite you to a Distinguished Speaker seminar on road user charge reform, presented by David Hensher.
Following a High Court of Australia ruling on Victoria’s EV charge and growing concern over declining fuel excise revenue, national momentum for reform is building. This session explores practical pathways for road pricing reform in Australia, with insights from international experience.
Join us to hear directly from one of Australia’s most experienced economic thinkers.
Attend in person or online. Please select your preference when registering. Networking opportunities will follow for in-person attendees.
In-person places are limited and will move to online-only once capacity is reached, so early registration is encouraged. Online registrants will receive a link closer to the event date.
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Monetary Policy and the Homeownership Rate in Australia
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Apr 15, 2026, 12:30 pm
How does monetary policy affect who gets to own a home? James Graham explores how changes in interest rates shape home buying decisions in Australia, particularly for first home buyers. Using a detailed model of Australian households, it examines how rising mortgage rates, changing incomes, and shifts in house prices interact to influence whether people buy, rent, or delay entering the housing market.
Join in-person at 123 Pitt St, Sydney or Online. Please let us know how you plan to attend when registering.
The timing of this event is AEDT (SYD/CBR/MEL)
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ESA X ECONSOC & MUES: Networking Drinks
Event Type: co-hosted event
Date: Thursday Apr 16, 2026, 6:00 pm
Connect. Learn. Build your network.
Join us for a casual networking evening bringing together economics students and economists from government, industry, and the private sector. Meet professionals, learn about career pathways, and build valuable connections in a relaxed setting.
Open to students from all universities and faculties. Feel free to bring your friends.
Hosted by the Young Economist Network in collaboration with the University of Sydney Economics Society (ECONSOC) and Macquarie University Economics Society (MUES)
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Rethinking GDP in the Digital Age: The Case for Productive Screentime
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Apr 29, 2026, 12:30 pm
Professor Kevin Fox, Director of the Centre for Applied Economic Research at UNSW Sydney, will challenge how we measure the economy in his latest work on “Productive Screentime” — arguing that much of the value we create online is invisible in GDP.
Drawing on his AEJ: Macro paper “GDP-B,” he makes the case for expanded measures of economic activity that could reshape how we think about growth and productivity.
Join in-person at 123 Pitt St, Sydney or Online. Please let us know how you plan to attend when registering.
The timing of this event is AEDT (SYD/CBR/MEL)
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Emerging Economist Series - for the Next Generation of Economists
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday May 26, 2026, 6:00 pm
Gain direct access to senior policymakers and economic leaders over four exclusive dinners:
- Gladys Berejiklian (Former Premier of NSW and Optus Executive)
- Guy Debelle (former Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia)
- Diana Mousina (Deputy Chief Economist, AMP and Social Media star)
- Richard Holden (Professor of Economics, UNSW Sydney)
A dinner-style fireside chat series where emerging economists interview senior leaders directly. .
Held at the RBA’s HC Coombs Centre, this in-person event also offers valuable networking with peers and influential leaders.
Places are limited, with dinner and refreshments included.
Dates: 26 May, 23 June, 25 August, 2 November
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WEN Credible Economist Writing Competition 2026 - ONLINE ONLY
Event Type: Women in Economics Event
Date: Monday Jun 1, 2026, 12:00 am
For a fifth year, NSW WEN will host its writing competition as part of the Credible Economist blog series.
All entrants will have their articles published as part of the series, and prizes will be awarded to articles that best fit the evaluation criteria.
We invite early career economists, university students and high school students to submit an original article on an economics topic of their choosing.
Your work will be read by members of the Women in Economics Network (WEN), which includes leading economists, CEOs and senior policy and business leaders, giving you valuable exposure and the chance to build your profile within the profession.
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IEA World Congress, Belgrade
Event Type: Partner Event
Date: Monday Jun 22, 2026, 12:00 am
Welcome
Welcome to the New South Wales Branch of the Economic Society of Australia
The NSW Branch of the Economic Society of Australia was formed in 1925, making it one of the most established professional associations in Australia. The rich history of activities continues, and with a strong membership, it is the largest of the state branches in Australia.
