The Centre for Health Economics at Monash Business School is offering a 4.5-year Integrated PhD opportunity focused on Health Equity, Access, and Inequality, particularly for Australians with disability. This project is aligned with the Centre of Research Excellence in Achieving Health Equity for all Australians with Disability (AHEAD) and aims to contribute to nationally significant health and disability policy reforms. The successful candidate will engage in data-driven, policy-relevant research using advanced quantitative methods, including causal econometric analysis and predictive economic modelling, to evaluate the economic and distributional impacts of policy interventions across healthcare and disability service systems.

As part of the Integrated PhD Program, students begin with advanced coursework, research training, and a minor thesis leading to a Master of Commerce (MCom) degree in the first year. Upon meeting progression requirements, candidates advance to the PhD stage, which involves high-quality research training, career development, and the completion of a written thesis over approximately three and a half years. The program offers opportunities for domestic and international conference travel and potential international research visits, supporting research with real-world impact.

The Centre for Health Economics is renowned globally for its expertise in health economics and policy analysis, hosting the largest Health Economics PhD program in Australia and the highest concentration of health economists in the Asia-Pacific region. Research themes include disadvantage and health, global and environmental health economics, economic behaviour and incentives in health, and economic modelling of health policies and technologies. Graduates from the Centre have secured positions at leading universities and organizations worldwide, including the London School of Economics, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Illinois, University of York, University of Melbourne, Australian National University, Ernst & Young, the World Bank, and government health departments.

Applicants should hold an Honours degree, a 4-year Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s degree with top marks and a research component in a relevant discipline such as health economics, labour economics, economics, or econometrics. Candidates from other quantitative backgrounds, including data science, mathematical statistics, actuarial science, public health, or psychology with strong statistical training, are also encouraged to apply. English language requirements must be met as specified by Monash Business School.

Successful candidates will receive a generous scholarship covering full tuition fees and a tax-free stipend of $39,000 AUD per annum, with up to $49,000 AUD per annum available for outstanding students. Additional financial support is offered through research and teaching assistance work. The application round is currently open for program commencement in July/August 2026, with applications closing on Sunday, 1 February 2026, 11:55pm AEDT.

For further information, prospective applicants may contact Professor Dennis Petrie or Dr Gozde Aydin. To apply, select 'Health Economics' as your area of specialisation and follow the Integrated PhD Program application process via the provided link. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to meet with the supervisory team to discuss mutual fit for the project.