Overview

Economics for Non-Economists is a self-paced interactive course made up of seven modules which is designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of economics. Designed in partnership between CEDA and Swinburne Edge, it is tailored for professionals and developed by professional economists.

Each module will guide you through economic terms and concepts and uncover how they are applied in Australian policymaking by leading economic institutions like the Treasury and the Reserve Bank. This is a practical course – you won’t spend countless hours on perfect competition and price shocks.

Instead, you’ll jump right to the contemporary experience of how these concepts are implemented and referenced by our leaders, engaging with real-world case studies, guided activities, and structured reflection points to deepen your understanding.

Who should attend

This course is ideal for individuals with no prior knowledge of economics, as well as those without an economics background who want to understand the economic issues that matter to people and organisations.

It is also suitable for individuals with some foundational knowledge who wish to deepen their understanding of the Australian economic context.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Understanding macro- and microeconomic drivers
  • Interpreting and engaging with economics-related information
  • Analysing economic data for insights
  • Applying economic knowledge to personal and professional decision-making

Learning outcomes

  • Develop a foundational knowledge of the Australian economic system and how it works
  • Recognise economic terms and key concepts
  • Engage with economics issues that feature in public discourse
  • Reflect on the macro- and micro-level implications of economic forces and policy-making
  • Apply economic thinking to inform decision-making in a professional context

Course development partner

The Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) is an independent, member-based public policy think tank. Guided by the goal of achieving long-term prosperity for all Australians, CEDA has driven this agenda through research, debate, and membership for over 60 years, advocating for a range of economic, social, and environmental issues.

Swinburne Edge has proudly partnered with CEDA to build industry-leading learning programs to allow more people and organisations to get involved in the conversations that matter.

This partnership also allows Swinburne students to gain a CEDA membership.

Why Swinburne?

Delivered by facilitators who are industry experts

Participant course training manual

Live Online delivery allows you to do the course from anywhere

Access to our team of Customer Development Advisors

Course dates

Students can start and finish this self-paced course anytime.

What your course could look like

Module 1: Introduction to Economics
Economics – the basics
Influencers in economics
The lifecycle of an economy
The web of economics
Module 2: Australia’s domestic economy and its position in the global economy
Australia: Our domestic economy
Distribution of income
Australia’s impact on the global economy
Investment in Australia
Migration and its impact on the Australian economy
Australian competitiveness
Module 3: Macroeconomics and the GDP formula
Macroeconomics
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Trade balance
Another lens on GDP
Module 4: Inflation and unemployment
Inflation
Measuring inflation
Unemployment
Relationship between inflation and unemployment
Module 5: Fiscal and monetary policy
Economic policy
Monetary policy
Fiscal policy
Setting fiscal policy
Challenges of implementation
Economic policy of the future
Module 6: Markets
The market and its role in the economy
Price elasticity
Why markets fail
Competition, consumer protection and regulation
Module 7: Economic modelling and forecasts
Macroeconomic forecasting
Key players in macroeconomic modelling
Non-government macroeconomic forecasting
Methods and models
Limitations of modelling

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