By understanding and shaping the broad framework of our society, economics can take you anywhere — from estimating the value of clean water at Sydney’s beaches, to assessing efficient costs of the rail network. Discover Michelle’s journey from degree to real world impact.
Michelle Mountford’s interest in economics began the moment she opened her Year 11 textbook. What started in a high‑school classroom quickly revealed the power of the discipline, sparking a lasting fascination with how economics shapes everyday life. Michelle’s favourite topics include environmental economics, market failure, and industrial organisation.
Her Year 11 “aha” moment eventually led Michelle to the University of Sydney, where she pursued a Bachelor of Economics degree with the same curiosity and drive as high school. As first in her family to attend university, there were expectedly some uncertainties for a first time graduate. As her studies eventually drew to a close, she admits she still wasn’t certain where economics would lead.
“I started out worrying about making the ‘right’ career moves,” she says. “But I’ve found it doesn’t really matter. Every job is a learning opportunity — absorb what you can from each role and keep chasing new ways to stretch yourself."
Economics can take you anywhere - from estimating the value of clean water at Sydney's coastal beaches, to making a case for government investment in the night-time economy, to assessing efficient costs of the rail network.
Michelle Mountford
Where Economics at Sydney can take you
Michelle's degree opened up the doors to a successful career that has spanned both private and public sectors. She has worked in economic consulting at Deloitte Access Economics, assessed local government contribution plans at the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), and supported the state’s economic recovery from COVID-19 at Investment NSW.
As a Principal Economist at the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), she helped regulate natural monopolies in critical infrastructure, ensuring markets work better for consumers in areas such as rail, gas, water and postal services.
Michelle was fortunute to be involved in the Jawun Secondment, a strategic partnership with Jawun to support Indigenous leaders to achieve their own development goals and develop Australian Public Service leadership capabilities. She used cost–benefit analysis to show why a new child protection model should receive support from three state governments.
Throughout her career, Michelle has particularly enjoyed 'telling stories' with economics - using economic concepts and models to explain what might happen in a particular scenario, or explaining why things occur the way they do.
Today, Michelle is Associate Director at the Cabinet Office NSW.
Strong Alumni ties
The School of Economics was delighted to welcome Michelle back as a guest alumni speaker at our recent School Awards Ceremony. She is also a regular fixture in the School of Economics Alumni Mentoring Program, enjoying the opportunity to support emerging economists as they progress through their studies and into the workforce. She enjoys the opportunity to offer her own experiences and advice while connecting with former students, current students and faculty members.
"I think the School Mentoring Program is a very worthwhile program that can be a practical help to students who might not otherwise have the network to help them navigate through university and work decisions," Michelle said.
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