Economics of Primary Care 2026
Date and time
Tuesday, 26 May 2026, 9.30am – 5pm
Location
Monash College, 750 Collins St, Docklands VIC 3008
Overview
Our Economics of Primary Care course introduces participants to evidence on the key economic issues facing primary care. The course content covers the role and impact of primary care in health systems, the effects of different financing and payment models on primary care, and the economics of the primary care workforce.
The course will explain key economic concepts and equip participants with up-to-date understanding of how economists think about primary care and the relevant economic evidence. Participants will be guided through worked examples demonstrating how and why economics can be applied to improve policy and practice.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, participants will:
- Understand how economists think about key issues relevant to primary care.
- Be familiar with the latest high-quality academic empirical evidence.
- Be able to use economic thinking to help improve policy and practice.
- Be able to analyse and predict the intended and unintended effects of policy interventions.
Who should attend?
The courses are suitable for those who want to increase their familiarity with the application of economic concepts and economic thinking to current policy issues and debates using the latest evidence. No previous knowledge of economics is required, and the material will be presented in a non-technical way.
The courses will be suitable for:
- Public servants and health policy analysts working for government and non-government agencies.
- Health service managers across the public and private health sectors.
- Health professionals.
- Consultants working in the health and human services sector.
Cost
- $950AUD for a single course, or $1800AUD for the two-course package.
- Volume discounts are also available for more than three participants from the same organisation. Please contact us directly for further information about how to take advantage of the volume discounts.
Fees include attendance at a full day of face-to-face seminars and group work, catered lunch, morning and afternoon tea.
Teaching staff
Professor Anthony Scott, Director, Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School, Monash University
Prof Scott is an elected Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, a Past President of the Australian Health Economics Society, and was a Board Director of the International Health Economics Association. His research interests are in the health care labour markets, physician behaviour, and healthcare financing and incentives.
Program
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 9.00am | Arrival and registration |
| 9.30 – 10.30am | Brief introduction to economic concepts |
| 10.30 – 11.00am | Group work: Applying economic concepts to primary care |
| 11.00 – 11.15am | Morning tea break |
| 11.15am – 12.00pm | The role of primary care in health care systems |
| 12.00 – 12.30pm | Group work: Should primary care be ‘strengthened’ in Australia? |
| 12.30 – 1.15pm | Lunch break |
| 1.15 – 2.15pm | Can primary care payment models be used to meet health system objectives? |
| 2.15 – 2.45pm | Group work: Payment models for primary care |
| 2.45 – 3.15pm | Afternoon tea break |
| 3.15 – 4.00pm | Primary care workforce |
| 4.00 – 4.20pm | Q&A |
| 4.20 – 4.30pm | Summary and close |