ECC3810 Public finance
Faculty of Business and Economics
ECC3810 Public finance is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Business and Economics, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It needs ECF2731, ECW2731, ECB2731 or ECC2000.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 3 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before ECC3810
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After ECC3810
No unit lists ECC3810 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
To be successful in this unit, background knowledge and application of maths is required at the equivalent of VCE Year 12 Higher level. You may have satisfied this by completing relevant prerequisite unit/s, or you have covered relevant topics in your final years of secondary study. You should self-assess your maths competency prior to enrolling in this unit.
Overview
The relationship between the public and private sectors is explored from the perspective of both public finance and political economy. Theories of public expenditure and revenue generation are introduced to assess the proper scope of the public sector. Additionally, theories of public choice are presented to examine the effectiveness and decision-making process of the public sector. A project forms a significant part of the assessment in this unit.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Quiz / Test10%
- Exercise30%
- Written20%
- Examination40%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
understand the basic economic concepts and principles applied in the public finance area
- 2
analyse specific policy issues in the area of public expenditure and taxation from the perspectives of both traditional public finance and public choice
- 3
critically evaluate contemporary public debate on topics in public finance
- 4
understand the usefulness and limitations of economic analysis in the public finance area
- 5
identify both market failure and government failure and understand the causes of each.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachResearch activities
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. You are expected to complete all pre-class activities prior to your scheduled class, and post-class activities should be completed after your scheduled class. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed, peer directed and online engagement activities.
This unit engages you in actively applying your knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.
This unit allows you to develop your research skills by engaging in structured inquiry using a systematic approach and discipline-specific methodologies.
This unit includes problem-based learning approaches, where you engage in research, integrate theory and practice and apply knowledge and skills to develop viable solutions in response to a problem or set of problems.
Where it fits
ECC3810 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Mr Max Gravoueille
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ECC3810?
You need ECF2731, ECW2731, ECB2731 or ECC2000 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
When is ECC3810 offered?
In 2026, ECC3810 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is ECC3810?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ECC3810 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include ECC3810?
ECC3810 is part of Economic analysis; Economics; and Economics and economic policy.