HSC Economics case studies
HSC Economics · Put your knowledge to work in context.
Economics is a Stage 6 course within the Higher School Certificate (HSC), the senior secondary credential administered in New South Wales by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). NESA describes the HSC as "a world-class credential that helps young adults on the path to work, training and further education," and states that it "set[s] syllabuses, assessments, teaching and school standards for all schools in NSW." The Economics syllabus sits within the Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) learning area of the Stage 6 curriculum and is published through NESA's syllabus pages, with updated K–12 syllabuses hosted on the NSW Curriculum website as part of the NSW Curriculum Reform. The HSC Economics case studies are 5 cases and about 2,615 words.
1The RBA's Conflicting Signals
Australia's headline CPI inflation has fallen from 7.8% to 3.6% over eighteen months, but underlying (trimmed mean) inflation sits at 4.1%, still above the 2-3% target band. Unemployment is 4.0%, wage growth is 4.2% annually, and labour productivity growth has been close to zero.
498 words, about 2 min2Fiscal Stimulus in a Supply-Constrained Economy
A state government announces a $12 billion infrastructure package to be spent over three years on transport and social housing. The state economy is near full employment: unemployment is 3.8%, construction firms report labour shortages, and construction wages are rising 7% annually.
518 words, about 3 min3Terms of Trade Boom and the Dutch Disease Question
A mineral-exporting economy experiences a sharp rise in its terms of trade as global prices for iron ore and lithium double. The exchange rate appreciates by 18% over two years.
526 words, about 3 min4Microeconomic Reform in a Protected Industry
A government is reviewing tariffs on imported automotive components, currently at 15%. Domestic component producers employ 8,000 workers, many in a marginal electorate, and have a cost structure 25% above world best practice.
525 words, about 3 min5Exchange Rate Depreciation and the J-Curve
A small open economy with a persistent current account deficit (5% of GDP) experiences a sudden depreciation of 20% against major trading partners after a global risk-off episode. Its exports are dominated by agricultural commodities with contracts priced in foreign currency and fixed for twelve months; imports are dominated by capital goods and fuel with low short-run price elasticity.
548 words, about 3 min