This course is available for on-campus & remote (online) learning. All students participate in interactive, real-time classes.
How is the public sector managed? This course introduces students to key trends and debates in public sector management from a critical and comparative perspective. All countries in the modern world have systems of government that include permanent administrative organisations (departments or agencies) whose task it is to carry out the various functions of government, typically under the direction of political leaders and supervised by legislatures and courts. Although institutions of government administration are found everywhere, their formal structures and methods of operation have varied significantly over time and from country to country.
This course takes a comparative and thematic approach to issues in public sector management and encourages students to consider their relevance to their own countries and workplaces. The course gives particular emphasis to issues of public sector reform and draws on cutting-edge research by academic staff at the Crawford School. In addition, the course identifies the different constitutional traditions within which systems of public administration are located, as well as the different administrative challenges faced by countries at different stages of political and economic development.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts and terminology associated with public administration and public sector management.
- Identify the main issues in key theoretical debates in public administration and public sector management.
- Apply relevant concepts and theories to individual cases in a comparative context.
- Critically analyse the main principles in public sector reform and apply them to individual cases.
- Communicate analysis effectively in both written and oral forms.
Indicative Assessment
- Tutorial participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Test 1 (20) [LO 1,3,5]
- Test 2 (20) [LO 1,3,5]
- Research paper (50) [LO 1,2,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
A standard workload for a 6 unit course is 130 hours including in-class time and independent study.
Prescribed Texts
Set readings will be available electronically through Wattle.
Assumed Knowledge
Students are assumed to have several years experience working in the public sector.
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:
- 14
- 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 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $4920 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $7020 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On Campus | ||||||
| 3900 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |
| Online | ||||||
| 3901 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | Online | N/A |