PhD in Healthcare Labour Markets and Population Health

Monash University, Australia – Centre for Health Economics (CHE)

Location: Caulfield campus, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

Duration: 4.5-year fixed-term appointment

Employment type: Full-time

Remuneration: You will receive a generous scholarship covering tuition fees and a tax-free stipend at current value of AU$39,000 per annum (up to $49,000 per annum for outstanding students).
Additional financial support is available through research and teaching assistance work.

The opportunity

This PhD project examines how healthcare labour markets shape the recruitment, retention, well-being of doctors and nurses, and how these dynamics affect access to care and population health. Using large-scale longitudinal administrative data and modern causal inference methods, the research will analyse how changes in pay regulation, job quality, working conditions, and global labour market shocks influence workforce shortages and health outcomes in the population. The project will generate policy-relevant evidence to inform health workforce planning, pay regulation, and strategies to improve both workforce sustainability and population health, with findings of international relevance across health systems facing similar workforce pressures.

Integrated PhD Program

The project is based in the Centre for Health Economics (CHE), a large and active economics research group within the Monash Business School.

The Integrated Program starts with advanced coursework, research training and a minor thesis packaged into a Master of Commerce (MCom) degree, and takes one year to complete.

Provided you meet the agreed conditions, you will then progress to the PhD, which involves high quality research training and career development, culminating in a written thesis. The PhD stage will typically take three and a half years to complete.

You will also enjoy opportunities for domestic and international conference travel and the potential to undertake international research visits.

PhD students at the Centre for Health Economics are supported to pursue research with real-world impact.

PhD Program entry requirements and scholarship eligibility

Applicants to enter the 4.5-year Health Economics PhD program should have completed 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.

Relevant disciplines include health economics, labour economics, economics and econometrics. We will also consider other quantitative disciplines such as data science, mathematical statistics, actuarial science or public health or psychology with strong statistical training.

You can check your eligibility with the PhD readiness tool.

For full information on eligibility and English language requirements, please visit the Monash Business School Integrated PhD Program page.

Applications

Before applying, note the following:

• When prompted, select “Health Economics” as your area of specialisation

To apply, please click the 'Apply' button

All eligible applications will be assessed, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted to meet with the supervisory team and discuss mutual fit for the project.

Application dates for the commencement of the Integrated PhD program in July/August 2026:

Application round is currently open.

About Monash and the Centre for Health Economics

The Centre for Health Economics is one of the world’s leading research groups in the economic analysis of health and health care. We have the highest concentration of economists working in health in the Asia-Pacific region and the largest Health Economics PhD program in Australia, reflecting the reputation of our researchers and the quality of their mentorship.

Monash is one of the top 50 universities in the world, ranked top in health economics in the Asia-Pacific region. As a PhD student of the Centre, you will be part of a team of researchers at the cutting edge of impactful international research across research themes including: disadvantage and health; global and environmental health economics; economic behaviour, incentives and preferences in health; and, economic modelling of health policies and technologies.

Employment prospects

PhD graduates from the Centre for Health Economics typically find employment as researchers in leading universities and consulting firms around the world. For instance, our previous graduates have been successful in gaining positions at the London School of Economics, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, the University of Illinois, the University of York, the University of Melbourne, Australian National University, Ernst & Young, the World Bank and government health departments.

Enquiries

For questions related to the application procedure and eligibility, please contact buseco-research.degrees@f.e.monash.edu.

For more information about this specific project on healthcare labour markets and population health, please email buseco-che.hdr.enquiries@monash.edu.