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
Why do people make choices that look “irrational”?
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Feb 18, 2026, 12:30 pm
Professor Tymula will examine why people often make financial choices that look “irrational” - avoiding the stock market, struggling with complex offers, or freezing when there are too many options - even when they want to do better? Professor Tymula will share the research from her groups suggesting that many of these behaviours are not flaws in our character or preferences, but the predictable result of how a limited brain tries to navigate a complicated economic world.
This is a hybrid event - 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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WEN-NSW Coffee Roulette - 2026
Event Type: Women in Economics Event
Date: Thursday Feb 19, 2026, 12:00 am
We are thrilled to announce the 2026 edition of the NSW Women in Economics Network (WEN) Coffee Roulette program. After a successful inaugural run in 2024, we are excited to continue this initiative designed to strengthen connections and foster a vibrant community among women economists in NSW.
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WEN Event: A conversation with Danielle Wood, Chair of the Productivity Commission
Event Type: Women in Economics Event
Date: Thursday Mar 5, 2026, 12:00 pm
Join us for an insightful Q&A with Danielle Wood, Chair of the Productivity Commission (PC), as we discuss the lessons she has learned throughout her career, with advice for those who are just starting theirs.
Before joining the PC, Danielle was CEO of the Grattan Institute and Head of its Budgets and Government Program. In this role she was, as as one reporter put it, "one of the most visible and highly regarded economists in the country".
She has served on several key national advisory bodies and previously held senior roles at the ACCC and NERA Economic Consulting.
Danielle is also an Honorary Fellow and former President of the Economic Society of Australia, and co-founder of the Women in Economics Network.
The Q&A will be chaired by Jennifer Fish, Partner, Econic Partners LLC.
📍 In Person Only: Level 23, The Great Room, 85 Castlereagh Street, Sydney
This event is exclusive to WEN members, with limited in-person places available.
Attendees will enjoy a light lunch from 11.40am while connecting and networking with fellow participants.
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WEN Credible Economist Writing Competition 2026 - ONLINE ONLY
Event Type: Women in Economics Event
Date: Friday Mar 6, 2026, 12:00 am
NSW Women in Economics Network (WEN) is proud to launch the fourth year of the Credible Economist blog writing competition, with cash prizes and publication opportunities for outstanding entries.
The competition aims to amplify female voices in economics and raise awareness of WEN’s Credible Economist blog series, which showcases public contributions by female economists and writing on gender economics.
We invite high school students, university students and early career economists to submit an original article (up to 800 words) on an economics topic of their choice. The competition is also open to WEN members who have not previously published the submitted article in major media.
Winning and selected entries will be published on WEN’s website and social media platforms.
Prizes
🥇 First place: $250
🥈 Second place: $150
🥉 Third place: $100
Plus complimentary WEN membership for one year for the top three winners and three honourable mentions.
Have a voice in the economic conversation — we look forward to reading your work!
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Search Smarter, Dig Deeper: Tips and Traps in Literature search with AI
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Mar 11, 2026, 12:30 pm
Join Professor Christopher Gibbs for a practical session on how to critically assess research and navigate today’s crowded evidence landscape.
The session will cover standards of evidence and how to assess confidence in research findings, along with practical guidance on how to follow a body of literature and identify credible summaries. It will also explore how to spot predatory journals and understand pay-to-play risks, as well as how to evaluate industry and government reports for potential bias. Participants will learn how to distinguish seminal papers from outdated research and how to use AI tools effectively to support literature reviews.
This is a hybrid event - 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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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.
This is a new format for YEN NSW. These more regular catch‑ups are designed to be low‑key, affordable, and easy to drop into. 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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NSW Treasury Distinguished Speaker David Hensher AM
Event Type: co-hosted event
Date: Wednesday Mar 25, 2026, 2:30 pm
NSW Treasury and ESA NSW invite you to a Distinguished Speaker seminar on ‘Road user charge reform and the political shift in interest in Australia: some thoughts to contemplate’, presented by David Hensher, Professor and Founding Director of the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies at the University of Sydney Business School.
The introduction of Victoria’s electric vehicle distance-based charge prompted a High Court challenge, which found that only the Federal Government has the constitutional authority to impose such road user charges. As electric vehicles reduce fuel excise revenue - a key Federal tax - this decision has intensified national attention on road user charging.
In August 2025, the Federal Government elevated the issue to a policy roundtable, signalling a new political willingness to consider reform. This creates a timely opportunity not only to address declining fuel excise revenue but also to advance broader road pricing reforms that improve efficiency and equity. This session explores practical pathways to reform and draws lessons from international developments, including in New Zealand and Iceland.
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.
The event is free for members and $10 for non-members, with networking opportunities for in-person attendees.
In-person places are limited and will move to online-only once capacity is reached, so early registration is encouraged.
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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.
