Public Budgets and Financial Management (PPMN90033)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | August |
|---|---|
| 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: 4 March 2025
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Budget paper
| Early in the teaching period | 30% |
Budget paper
| Last week of the teaching period | 30% |
Budget paper
| 4 Weeks after the end of teaching | 40% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures where offered. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- August
Coordinator Mhamed Biygautane Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 contact hours: A 4-hour seminar for six weeks from the teaching start date. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 1 August 2025 to 6 September 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 15 August 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 12 September 2025 Assessment period ends 4 October 2025 August contact information
Dr Mhamed Biygautane mhamed.biygautane@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
Entry into the Master of Public Policy and Management.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Public Policy and Management Specialisation (formal) Public Policy and Management - Links to additional information
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025