The focus of this topic is the nature, causes and consequences of the economic issues and problems 
that can confront contemporary economies.
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Outcomes
A student:
H1      demonstrates understanding of economic terms, concepts and relationships
H2      analyses the economic role of individuals, firms, institutions and governments
H4      analyses the impact of global markets on the Australian and global economies
H7      evaluates the consequences of contemporary economic problems and issues
on individuals, firms and governments
H9      selects and organises information from a variety of sources for relevance and reliability
H10    communicates economic information, ideas and issues in appropriate forms
H11    applies mathematical concepts in economic contexts
H12    works independently and in groups to achieve appropriate goals in set timelines.

Content
Students learn to:
Examine economic issues
•      examine the arguments for and against increasing economic growth rates
•      investigate the economic and social problems created by unemployment
•      analyse the effects of inflation on an economy
•      discuss the effect of a continued current account deficit on an economy
•      investigate recent trends in the distribution of income in Australia and identify the impact 
of specific economic policies on this distribution
•      analyse the economic and social costs of inequality in the distribution of income
•      examine the economic issues associated with the goal of ecologically sustainable development


Apply economic skills
•      identify and analyse problems facing contemporary and hypothetical economies
•      calculate an equilibrium position for an economy using leakages and injections
•      determine the impact of the (simple) multiplier effect on national income
•      explain the implications of the multiplier for fluctuations in the level of economic 
activity in an economy
•      calculate the unemployment rate and the participation rate using labour force
statistics
•      interpret a Lorenz curve and a Gini coefficient for the distribution of income in an economy
•      use economic concepts to analyse a contemporary environmental issue
•      assess the key problems and issues facing the Australian economy.


Students learn about:

Economic issues in the Australian economy

Economic growth
•      aggregate demand and its components: Y = C+I+G+X–M
•      injections and withdrawals (I+G+X; S+T+M)
•      the simple multiplier: k = 1/(1–MPC)
•      measurement of growth through changes in real Gross Domestic Product
•      sources and effects of economic growth in Australia
•      increases in aggregate supply – improvements in efficiency and technology
•      trends in business cycle

Unemployment
•      measurement
–     labour force
–     participation rate
–     unemployment rate
•      trends
•      types and causes
–     cyclical
–     structural
–     frictional
–     seasonal
–     underemployment
–     hidden
–     long term
•      non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment (NAIRU)
•      main groups affected by unemployment  -economic  and social costs

Inflation
•      measurement – headline and underlying
•      trends
•      causes
–     demand inflation
–     cost inflation
–     imported inflation
–     inflationary expectations
•      positive and negative effects

External stability
•      measurement
–     Current Account Deficit (CAD) as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product
–      net foreign debt as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product
–      net foreign liabilities as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product
–     terms of trade
–     exchange rate
–     international competitiveness
•      trends
•      positive and negative causes and effects

Distribution of income and wealth
•      measurement – Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient
•      sources of income as a percentage of household income
•      taxation, transfer payments and other assistance
•      sources of wealth
•      dimensions and trends, according to gender, age, occupation, ethnic background and family 
structure
•      economic and social costs and benefits of inequality

Environmental sustainability
•      ecologically sustainable development
•      private and social costs and benefits – externalities, market failure
•      public and private goods – free riders
•      environmental issues:
–     preservation of natural environments
–     pollution, climate change
–     depletion of renewable and non-renewable resources.