Administration and Management

Aims and objectives

• To further develop an understanding of the application of administrative law essential to good management techniques.
• To develop an understanding of the origins and workings of administrative law. A general examination of administrative and decision-making processes on both the federal and state levels with emphasis placed on the state jurisdiction.
• To understand the review process both on the basis of merits review and judicial review by examining the circumstances in which each takes place by way of challenge.
• To examine the circumstances where decisions are challenged on the basis of denial of justice.
• To develop an understanding of the nature and behaviour of organisations.
• To examine the characteristics and role of management.
• To understand the culture of change.

Teaching methods

Assessment

Content

• The consideration of efficient internal administrative procedures to ensure against liability for negligent advice.
• Regulatory controls – statutory duties and liability for breach, effective administration procedures and alternatives in regulatory techniques.
• Legal responsibility of business units, contractors and corporate entitites.
• The role of the Ombudsman and Committees of Enquiry.
• The Administrative Law Act and review by courts and tribunals of the administrative process, the application of the rules of natural justice, notice and fair hearing, the duty to give reasons, impartiality and bias.
• Role of Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Alternative dispute resolution/mediation.
• An introduction to organisational and management theory and practice.
• Organisational culture – myths, metaphors and behaviours.
• Management characteristics of leadership, power and decision-making, conflict and negotiations, management roles and team work/group processes.
• Financial and resource management. Organisational change.
• Human resources, industrial relations and workplace agreements.
• Organisational effectiveness models
• Competitive tendering, including client/provider split, business plans, specifications, tender bids, tender evaluation, contract management.
• Principles of risk management.