How to become a Policy Analyst

Also called: Policy Adviser

Develops and analyses policies guiding the design, implementation and modification of government or commercial operations and programs.

Main tasks

• Liaises and consults with stakeholders to identify policy needs
• Reviews existing policies and legislation to identify anomalies and out-of-date provisions
• Researches social, economic and industrial trends, and client expectations of programs and services provided
• Formulates and analyses policy options, prepares briefing papers and recommendations for policy changes, and advises on preferred options
• Assesses impacts, financial implications, interactions with other programs, and both political and administrative feasibility of policies

Ways in

• University: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $112,996 a year
• About 45,400 people work in this job group now, and about 56,900 are projected by 2035. (+25.2%)
• Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Policy Analyst?

Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees.

How much does a Policy Analyst earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $112,996 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Policy Analyst a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 25% by 2035, from about 45,400 to about 56,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Policy Analyst?

Usually. 86% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Policy Analyst?

Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04