Labour Economics

This subject examines how labour markets function, the market where employers and workers interact. Topics include labour supply, labour demand, wage determination, education and training, compensating wage differentials, unions and collective bargaining, labour market discrimination, earnings inequality, unemployment and analysis of current labour market policy issues. Data and empirical studies from Australia and other countries will be used to illustrate theoretical work.

• 1Evaluate and interpret the labour market policies of governments, unions and other actors in the labour market;
• 2Identify the actions of economic actors within the labour market, and identify various outcomes of the labour market, that are driven by economic incentives;
• 3Critically analyse labour market quantitative research;
• 4Synthesise information on different actors and outcomes across the various labour market topics; and
• 5Analyse labour market issues through the application of economic data and theories.