This course provides a broad introduction to the economic analysis of labour market issues. The topics to be covered are: labour supply, including determinants of labour market participation and hours of works; labour demand; labour market equilibrium and wage determination; compensating wage differentials; investments in human capital and returns to education; earnings distribution; labour mobility; labour market discrimination; role of unions; incentive pay; and unemployment. Policy applications will be emphasized.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- describe institutions and historical trends in labour markets;
- apply basic economic analysis to a wide range of labour market issues;
- explain the sources of individual differences in wages and employment;
- interpret labour market statistics and empirical evidence in academic papers and policy reports;
- critically evaluate government policies affecting labour markets, particularly their effects on wages and employment.
Other Information
Indicative Assessment
- Assessment may consist of a Final Exam, mid-semester exam(s), quizzes, assignments or some combination thereof. See the Class Summary for details. (100) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
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Workload
130 hours in total over the semester consisting of lectures, tutorials/workshops and private study time.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
See Class Summary
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3638 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |