Outline

Overview

This unit aims to develop a critical and comparative understanding of the history, theory and practice of health policy as well as provide students with an understanding of the main concepts and analytical methods of health economics and political economy. It gives an overview of the political choices and frameworks that shape decision making in health. By the end of this unit students will be able to: Define the boundaries and key features of health policy; Identify policy instruments and how they function; Understand the main frameworks used for analysing health policy, and different approaches and perspectives regarding setting priorities in health policy; Apply methods and principles of health economics e.g. resource scarcity, opportunity cost, efficiency and equity to practical real-life examples; Critically analyse the role of economic evidence in informing policy decisions in health decision-making in Australia.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Public Health
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	PUBH5032
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Alison Pearce, alison.pearce@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Assessment 4 Written assessments	40%	Formal exam period Due date: 04 Feb 2026 at 23:59	1500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Assessment 1 Attendance and participation	5%	Multiple weeks	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Assessment 2 Online quiz	15%	Week 07	35 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	Assessment 3 Interactive oral	40%	Week 11	10 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined in marking rubrics for individual assessments.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined in marking rubrics for individual assessments.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined in marking rubrics for individual assessments.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined in marking rubrics for individual assessments.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	This week we will be looking at the importance of priority setting in health policy making, and nature and role of health economics evidence. This weeks content (lecture, activity, discussion) is online for all students.	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 02	This week we focus on health policy – how policy agendas are set, decisions are made, and implementation happens. We will examine the boundaries and key features of health policy, policy instruments, and strategies for communicating with health policy makers. Block Mode students will attend the workshop.	Workshop (10 hr)
Week 03	This week we reflect on the learnings on health policy over the past few weeks, and apply them to our own experience and knowledge through the tutorial discussion. These theories will be important in analysing specific health policy issues in the later tutorials.	Tutorial (10 hr)
Week 04	This week's content is background to understanding the scope of health economics and to introduce you to market theory, in particular, why the market fails in health. These introductory lectures underpin much of the later health economics teaching in this course. This weeks content (lectures and activity) is online for all students.	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 05	This week’s content will introduce you to fundamental concepts underpinning health economics such as resource scarcity and opportunity cost. We will also look at the use of incentives, efficiency and equity as applied to practical real-life examples in healthcare. Block Mode students will attend the workshop.	Workshop (10 hr)
Week 06	This week there will be a tutorial on health economics, in which you will do hands on calculation of cost-effectiveness ratios and explore equity considerations in healthcare.	Tutorial (10 hr)
Week 07	This week offers an opportunity to revise for and take the on-line, multiple-choice quiz which is 15% of your grade. Make sure you are familiar with the course content and take the practice quiz to familiarise yourself with the type of questions. You may do the practice quiz as many times as you like.	Assessment (10 hr)
Week 08	This week’s tutorial will build skills in describing and communicating evidence relevant to policy in the health context.	Tutorial (10 hr)
Week 09	This week’s tutorial brings together evidence, including health economics evidence, in the health policy cycle.	Tutorial (10 hr)
Week 10	This week we look at the issue of disinvestment in an Australian healthcare context. We will explore the process and politics of disinvestment with reference to contemporary case studies in Australia. This week also offers an opportunity for you to prepare and practice for the interactive oral assessment next week.	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 11	This week you will complete the interactive oral assessment, which is 40% of your grade. Make sure you are familiar with the course content and use the provided resources to practice presenting orally.	Assessment (10 hr)
Week 12	This weeks lecture provides an overview and synthesis of the unit material, and provides examples of how these theories and concepts are applied in practice.	Lecture (10 hr)
Week 13	This week offers an opportunity to review the course material and work on your final assessment.	Self-directed learning (10 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Block Mode students are expected to attend the intensive workshops and engage in online activities, as well as attend the face-to-face tutorials.

Online students are expected to engage in the online activities and materials, and actively participate in the online tutorial discussions.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. define the boundaries and key features of health policy
LO2. identify policy instruments and how they function
LO3. understand the main frameworks used for analysing health policy, and different approaches and perspectives regarding setting priorities in health policy
LO4. apply methods and principles of health economics e.g. resource scarcity, incentives, opportunity cost, efficiency, and equity to practical real-life examples
LO5. (critically) review the role of economic evidence in informing policy decisions in healthcare in Australia.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In response to student and tutor feedback we have made several changes to the unit for 2026, including clarifying the requirements around referencing throughout the unit, introducing an interactive oral assessment, and offering Zoom tutorials for students enrolled in online mode.

Additional information

More information can be found on Canvas.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit.

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

HPOL5000: Health Policy and Health Economics

Semester 1, 2026 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links