Author

Alan Oster

“Alan is responsible for NAB’s global economic and financial forecasts”

Alan joined the Bank in 1992 from the Federal Treasury where he worked for 15 years – his special field being economic forecasting and monetary policy. He graduated (with first class honours) in economics from Newcastle University. He also holds a Masters degree in economics from the Australian National University.

Immediately before joining the Bank, Alan was the Senior Adviser in Treasury responsible for economic forecasting and modelling. In 1987 he was seconded for nearly four years as Counsellor-Economic and Financial with Australia’s delegation to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris.

As Group Chief Economist, Alan is responsible for NAB’s global economic and financial forecasts. He is also a highly respected and much quoted commentator on Australian and global economic trends and policy issues.

Recently Published Articles

Expanding understanding through wider and deeper data capture

Expanding understanding through wider and deeper data capture

5 December 2017

Australia’s GDP continues to grow in spite of subdued wages growth and consumer spending. Gaining a greater understanding of how these contradictory trends break down across regional and metropolitan areas, as well as consumer spending categories, is behind NAB’s expansion of its Consumer Spending and Cashless Retail analyses.

Expanding understanding through wider and deeper data capture
Impact of Lower Oil Prices on Australia

Impact of Lower Oil Prices on Australia

18 January 2016

The falls in global oil prices over the last year or so are fundamentally a reaction to oversupply in global markets – as US new oil supply comes on board, OPEC puts the squeeze on profitability of new sources of supply by refusing to cut production.

Impact of Lower Oil Prices on Australia
NAB Group Economics: Special Report

NAB Group Economics: Special Report

21 December 2015

Many Australians dream of a financial windfall that would significantly improve their lives forever, but how much is enough? In this special report, we ask over 2,000 Australians to tell us how much they need.

NAB Group Economics: Special Report
Stay optimistic

Stay optimistic

11 December 2015

There have been some volatile shifts in the global economy recently, prompting pessimists to declare that there’s a 50–50 chance of Australia going into recession. However, a closer look at the numbers behind the forecasts shows there’s plenty of reason for optimism.

Stay optimistic
NAB Quarterly Australian Consumer Anxiety Index – Q3 2015

NAB Quarterly Australian Consumer Anxiety Index – Q3 2015

9 September 2015

Australian's are feeling less anxious underpinned by lower stress associated with retirement funding, cost of living, job security and health. And for the first time, NAB’s Consumer Anxiety report sheds light on spending behaviours across states.

NAB Quarterly Australian Consumer Anxiety Index – Q3 2015
2015 Federal Budget Briefing

2015 Federal Budget Briefing

13 May 2015

NAB Group Chief Economist Alan Oster provides a comprehensive analysis of the 2015 Federal Budget. The report outlines the key budget measures and explains the economic and fiscal outlook as a result of last night’s announcement.

2015 Federal Budget Briefing
Alan Oster’s Budget Verdict

Alan Oster’s Budget Verdict

13 May 2015

Alan Oster, Group Chief Economist NAB, provides a summary of the impact the budget will have on everyday Australians, business confidence and what he believes it will do for the Australian economy.

Alan Oster’s Budget Verdict
ASX 300 Quarterly Business Survey – December 2014

ASX 300 Quarterly Business Survey – December 2014

26 February 2015

Big business in Australia is losing confidence, affecting medium-term growth and capital expenditure plans. Overall confidence among larger firms has now fallen below its long-term average and is weaker than for smaller companies and the broader economy.

ASX 300 Quarterly Business Survey – December 2014
MLC Quarterly Australian Wealth Sentiment Survey – Q3 2014

MLC Quarterly Australian Wealth Sentiment Survey – Q3 2014

23 October 2014

Nearly half of Australians are undecided on whether they will have to sell the family home to fund their retirement, the latest MLC Wealth Sentiment Survey has found. The quarterly survey has found 11% of Australians already plan to sell the family home to fund their retirement…

MLC Quarterly Australian Wealth Sentiment Survey – Q3 2014
MLC Quarterly Australian Wealth Sentiment Survey Q2 2014

MLC Quarterly Australian Wealth Sentiment Survey Q2 2014

12 August 2014

Taking a career break to raise kids has been identified as the most significant barrier to having sufficient retirement savings and majority of survey participants (68%) have given little consideration to a major future financial setback, according to the latest survey findings.

MLC Quarterly Australian Wealth Sentiment Survey Q2 2014
Discover the opportunities within emerging Asian economies

Discover the opportunities within emerging Asian economies

17 June 2014

While China remains our biggest trading partner, other emerging Asian nations – including ASEAN, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan – are critical sources of imports and exports for Aussie SMEs. Understanding these regional economies and their distinct differences is critical.

Discover the opportunities within emerging Asian economies
Alan Oster’s overview – Federal Budget 2014

Alan Oster’s overview – Federal Budget 2014

14 May 2014

NAB Group Chief Economist Alan Oster outlines the key features of Joe Hockey’s 2014 Federal Budget announcement and analyses how it may impact Australia’s economic outlook and financial markets.

Alan Oster’s overview – Federal Budget 2014
Alan Oster’s snapshot – Federal Budget 2014

Alan Oster’s snapshot – Federal Budget 2014

14 May 2014

NAB’s Group Chief Economist Alan Oster provides his overall summary of Joe Hockey’s 2014 Federal Budget, including his initial thoughts, how it could impact small and large business, and the wider economic implications for the Australian economy.

Alan Oster’s snapshot – Federal Budget 2014
Below the surface

Below the surface

6 January 2014

As many SMEs might be a million miles away from the mining and resources sector, it’s easy to think it’s all completely irrelevant. That’s not the case. It’s important that you're aware of the general direction of the industry because it can affect your own business.

Below the surface
The numbers game

The numbers game

27 September 2013

Economic data can be baffling. Bombarded with numbers, headlines, warnings and opinions from all directions, it can be hard to know just what to focus on. So what do you really need to know? And what does it all mean? We explain.

The numbers game
What a difference a year makes! Alan Oster analyses the budget

What a difference a year makes! Alan Oster analyses the budget

15 May 2013

“What a difference a year makes”. NAB’s Group Chief Economist Alan Oster gives his detailed summary of this year’s Federal Budget. Who benefits from the Government’s proposed spending and who doesn’t, and what does it mean for the Australian Economy?

What a difference a year makes! Alan Oster analyses the budget
Federal Budget impacts to the Energy and Resources sector

Federal Budget impacts to the Energy and Resources sector

15 May 2013

This year’s budget contains a number of negatives for the resources sector. NAB’s Group Chief Economist, Alan Oster, looks at where the government has targeted it’s efforts including impacts to exploration and many mining and energy programs.

Federal Budget impacts to the Energy and Resources sector
New reforms to impact Big Business from the 2013 Federal Budget

New reforms to impact Big Business from the 2013 Federal Budget

15 May 2013

NAB’s Group Chief Economist, Alan Oster, looks at the key reforms impacting Big business. The Federal Budget focuses on a crackdown on profit shifting, banning of dividend washing, reducing thin capitalisation safe harbour, removal of R&D and exploration incentives.

New reforms to impact Big Business from the 2013 Federal Budget
What does the Federal Budget 2013 mean for Agribusiness?

What does the Federal Budget 2013 mean for Agribusiness?

15 May 2013

Agribusiness has emerged as a net beneficiary of the budget, with the diesel fuel tax rebate – speculated as an area of possible cut prior to the release – remaining intact. That said, the overall gains are rather modest.

What does the Federal Budget 2013 mean for Agribusiness?
Alan Oster’s pre-budget overview

Alan Oster’s pre-budget overview

10 May 2013

NAB’s Chief Economist, Alan Oster provides a pre-budget overview of the Australian economy focussing on what we’ve already seen from the Government and commentary on the deficit. Join us on Wednesday 15 May for a full budget breakdown.

Alan Oster’s pre-budget overview