Guide design, implementation and modification of government and commercial operations and programs through policy.
Policy analysts:
- review existing policies and legislation to identify anomalies and out-of-date provisions
- research social, economic and industrial trends and client expectations of programs and services
- provide, develop and analyse policy options, and advise on preferred options
- assess the financial implications and fairness of policies
- liaise and consult with program administrators and other interested parties to identify policy needs
- prepare briefing papers and recommendations for policy changes
- prepare and maintain policy and procedure manuals
- advise managers or politicians on lobbying activities
If you are after a career as a policy analyst, you should consider federal and state government departments and organisations, as well as trade unions, political parties, universities, non-profit organisations and private sector organisations who provide consultancy services to government or lobby the government on policy issues.
Job prospects are good for policy analysts. However, most opportunities are in the capital cities, especially Canberra. Policy analysts may also find work as journalists, political technical officers or research assistants.
Source: myFuture
Disclaimer: This page provides study pathway and career options as a guide only. You should contact the Admissions Centre, International Centre or relevant Faculties for full details.
Study pathways
The following study pathway shows the most common and direct route for a UWA student to pursue this career.
Undergraduate
- Anthropology and Sociology
- Asian Studies
- Business Law
- Chinese
- Economics (single major)
- English and Cultural Studies
- French Studies
- German Studies
- Human Resource Management
- Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage
- Indonesian
- Italian Studies
- Japanese
- Law and Society
- Management
- Philosophy
- Political Science and International Relations
- Social and Applied Psychology
- Work and Employment Relations
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Postgraduate
Postgraduate study is not necessarily required for this occupation, but may be helpful for career advancement.
Relevant postgraduate courses include:
- Executive Master of Public Administration - Coursework
- Graduate Certificate in Integrated Human Studies
- Graduate Certificate in International Relations
- Graduate Certificate in Social Impact
- Graduate Diploma in Commercial and Resources Law
- Graduate Diploma in International Relations
- Master of Commerce (Advanced) - Coursework
- Master of Commercial and Resources Law
- Master of International Relations
- Master of Laws - Coursework
Relevant majors include:
Graduate profile
- James Sheppard
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Majoring in Indonesian and Asian studies kick started my career and is a great asset for working in international economic and development organisations.Upon completing a BA/BEc at UWA in 2002, I moved to Jakarta as a public finance specialist for the World Bank working with Indonesia's planning and finance ministries to implement national budget and treasury reforms. My Indonesian language skills and understanding of Indonesia allowed me to better understand policy issues facing the government and to work closely with my government counterparts.After three years of working on Indonesia, I returned to studies and completed masters degrees in public policy and public administration in Singapore and London while doing consulting on Asia and Africa. The experience working in Indonesia was highly valued and the multi-disciplinary approach of an Asian Studies degree provided me with a sound basis to understand governance issues in different regions.Since 2008, I have worked as an analyst for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) focusing on public sector reform. My work has shaped how the German government prepares projections of fiscal sustainability, how Brazil's federal public organisations apply risk-based internal control, and how the United States federal government assesses value for money in its procurement.With increasing recognition of Indonesia's importance in the global economic landscape as a member of the G20, Indonesia is increasingly part of my work. Knowledge of Indonesia, its government, economy and society, and its language are a huge advantage and a valuable asset.