ECF3900 Business, competition and regulation
Faculty of Business and Economics
ECF3900 Business, competition and regulation is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Business and Economics, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Caulfield. It needs ECB2731, ECC2000, ECF2731 or ECW2731.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Caulfield
- 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 ECF3900
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After ECF3900
No unit lists ECF3900 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 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.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
This unit examines market structures, conduct, and performance from a business perspective, as well as economic policy and its impact on business, particularly in relation to dealings with consumers. It also explores various approaches to competition and regulation policies. Through case studies, you will gain knowledge to make optimal decisions and expand the competitive environment of different types of businesses.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Caulfield | On campus |
Assessment
- Quiz / Test10%
- Exercise10%
- Quiz / Test40%
- 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 concepts used in the economic analysis of business and the policy framework within which business operates
- 2
understand performance, structure and behaviour of different businesses in any market
- 3
apply models of behaviour to specific cases
- 4
analyse different structures of businesses in detail, identifying major policies which might affect their performance and conduct.
Workload and teaching
- Assessments-
- Applied sessions12 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachResearch activities
- Teaching approachCase-based teaching
- Teaching approachActive learning
- 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 allows you to develop your research skills by engaging in structured inquiry using a systematic approach and discipline-specific methodologies.
This unit includes case-based teaching, where you apply your knowledge and engage in analytical and reflective thinking to solve complex contextual scenarios. Activities are often designed so that there is not one clear answer, but you need to work together to examine, analyse and make decisions to resolve the situation.
This unit engages you in actively applying your knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.
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.
Learning resources
Technology resources
There may be an additional cost associated with purchasing a physical and/or virtual calculator. Specific details will be provided in the Learning Management System by commencement of Orientation week.
Where it fits
ECF3900 is part of 1 area of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Mitchell Watt
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ECF3900?
You need ECB2731, ECC2000, ECF2731 or ECW2731 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
When is ECF3900 offered?
In 2026, ECF3900 runs in Semester 2 at Caulfield.
How much work is ECF3900?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ECF3900 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include ECF3900?
ECF3900 is part of Economics and business strategy.