Public Policy
UndergraduateTAS-HPP3022026
Course information for 2026 intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 15 Feb 2026
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Start dates
- 23 Feb 2026
- Price from
- $2,562
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Public Policy
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- Explain and apply key concepts and theories in public policy.
- Compare, contrast and evaluate concepts in public policy.
- Compare contrast and evaluate theories and case studies in public policy.
- Communicate your ideas coherently in written and/or oral formats applying referencing and style conventions as appropriate.
- Unit introduction / What is public policy?
- The nature and context of policy-making
- Governance
- Conventional approaches to policy making
- Alternative approaches to policy making
- Problem definition and agenda setting
- Evidence and policy design
- Consultation
- Policy instruments
- Implementation
- Evaluation
The public policy arena presents a complex framework of actors, politics, instruments, and practices. This subject examines the broad range of theories, models, influences, and players that shape the development of Australian public policy. It aims to equip students with the knowledge of both the theoretical underpinnings and real-world challenges of the field. The subject examines the economics of public policy, agenda-setting, the policy process, policy instruments, policy implementation, the role of the media, policy consultation, and evidence-based policy-making versus politics, values and ideas. The assessment, which includes a policy briefing paper, provides students with opportunities to select, investigate, and critically analyse real-world governance and public policy problems.
- Take-home Exam (30%)
- Tutorial Participation (10%)
- Short Answer Questions (20%)
- Major Essay (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Others
Conditional requisite: 25 UTAS credit points (two subjects) at Introductory level or higher
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Teaching Arrangement: 1-hour lecture and online materials each week; 1-hour online tutorial discussion each week.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateTAS-DMT-DEG
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