Handbook home
Public Budgets and Financial Management (PPMN90033)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Online |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
Public sector budget frameworks are premised on efficiency, effectiveness and the ethical use of taxpayer’s money. This subject considers how public managers and ministers work within these frameworks to balance at times competing objectives and political undercurrents, including accountability under legislation, the legislative committee process, and the audit process. The focus is on OECD countries and trends in budget and spending review cycles, the empowerment of finance ministries and audit institutions, the adoption of private sector practices, fiscal rules and principles, and intergenerational equity. In managing public expenditure this subject examines the design of tax and social welfare systems, how budgets are political and the interplay between governments and capital markets.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Explain how governments are financed and the challenges identified in contemporary political debates;
- Deconstruct, compare and evaluate the macroeconomic frameworks underpinning public policy, along with a nuanced appreciation of the roles of key actors and institutions in national, regional and international contexts
- Identify, examine and appraise different budget models;
- Design and critique budget statements;
- Assess and critique different accountability and public sector processes around financial management.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should have:
- in-depth knowledge of the disciplines of political science and policy and administration, and the ability to examine governance, policy and public sector reform issues from other disciplinary perspectives.
- critical and strong reasoning skills, and creativity in applying theory and research methods to complex practical problems across diverse contexts.
- effective oral and written communication skills.
- an advanced appreciation of the Asian and Pacific regions, including Indigenous knowledge, cultures and values and sustainable futures.
- autonomy, self-motivation, self-direction and outstanding organisational skills to set goals and manage time and priorities.
- skills in self-assessment, self-awareness, reflective and lifelong learning, with an overriding commitment to personal and professional integrity.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Political Science at Undergraduate level
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Budget paper
| Early in the teaching period | 30% |
Budget paper
| Mid semester | 30% |
Budget paper
| During the examination period | 40% |
Hurdle requirement: As this is an online subject, regular participation in the LMS activities is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1 - Online
Coordinator Steve Perryman Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 2 hours of seminars per week for 12 weeks. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2022 Census date 31 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
Entry into the Master of Public Policy and Management.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Required readings will be made available electronically via the subject LMS site at the beginning of semester.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Public Policy and Management Specialisation (formal) Public Policy and Management Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Public Policy and Management - Links to additional information
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024