Honours for economist Warwick McKibbin

From a Central Coast surfer who had no idea what he wanted to do with his life, to a prominent economist advising governments and corporations around the world, Warwick McKibbin knows his has been an extraordinary life.

He started his career cleaning out the punched-card machine in the basement of the Reserve Bank.

Within a few years he was an RBA board member.

In between he studied economics, going to university at night before doing his PhD at Harvard University, where his thesis ended up turning into a software company, McKibbin Software, which he still runs today.

Now his long list of achievements will be topped with his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia.

"I've had the most extraordinary life," Professor McKibbin told AAP.

"Being an academic has its own rewards but most of them aren't financial, so it's a great honour to be acknowledged."

The 58-year-old, who juggles advisory roles and running a company with teaching at the Australian National University, attributes much of his success to saying yes.

His advice to young people who aren't sure what they want to do with their lives is to take whatever opportunities come their way. They'll eventually lead to new ones.

Have mentors, be kind to people and listen to advice. But don't always take it.

"Some of the advice I was given was poor advice, like go and work in the private sector and make lots of money," he said.

"It's more important to do something you really love doing, and if you're good at it, usually you do make a good living out of it."