Graduate Coursework Programs

Health Economics/Economic Evaluation

Students specialising in Health Economics will learn to appreciate and apply the key concepts behind health economics as a way of thinking. They will be able to analyse and discuss key policy issues in public health from an “economic” perspective. They will, for example, critically appraise the structure and financing of the Australian health care system, understand and assess health expenditure trends and their associated policy implications. They will consider the arguments for and against competition in health care (and “economic rationalism”), and apply economic reasoning to policy problems (such as the strengths and weaknesses of reform options for Medicare). Students often choose to combine Health Economics with the study of Economic Evaluation and Health Policy subjects.


Students specialising in Economic Evaluation will learn to appreciate when an economic evaluation might be needed, the types of economic appraisal that are available, together with their strengths and limitations. Students will appreciate how “economic evaluation” differs from other forms of evaluation; the steps involved in conducting an economic evaluation; and the key issues of protocol design. Through practical case studies students will be able to distinguish a “good” study from a “poor” study; understand the various factors that may impact on how economic evaluation is received by managers, together with other possible stakeholders. Students will be introduced to the links between economic evaluation and priority setting/health service planning.

Students may usefully combine Economic Evaluation with subjects in Epidemiology (the evidence base for economic appraisal) and Program Evaluation (complementary form of appraisal).

Graduates wishing to follow a program in Health Economics/Economic Evaluation can choose the following option:

Master of Public Health - with a specialisation in Health Economics/Economic Evaluation.



top of page