11–12Agriculture 11–12 Syllabus (2026)

Identify the micronutrients essential for plant growth

Identify available and unavailable forms of essential macronutrients for plants in the soil and atmosphere

Describe the effect of soil pH on the availability of aluminium (Al), nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and phosphorous (P)

Explain how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples manage soil nutrient status through firestick farming and cool burning

Explain the processes of self-pollination, cross-pollination and artificial pollination, and their impacts on agricultural production

Describe quality characteristics of a plant product for human use

Explain the process of flower fertilisation and impact on seed production and fruit set

Compare the features of native and introduced pastures used in agricultural production

Assess strategies for sustainable pasture management to support animal production

Evaluate influences on crop establishment, including seed selection, seed spacing, planting depth, soil moisture content, soil temperature, time of year, seasonal conditions, presence of pests and previous crop waste material

Conduct a practical investigation to measure feed on offer

Describe techniques to manipulate reproduction efficiency in animals

Describe quality characteristics of an animal product for human use

Explain how the nutritional needs of a production animal change over its life cycle

Explain a method of genetic selection to improve productivity

Explain how estimated breeding values (EBVs) inform management decisions about desirable traits in animals used for commercial food or fibre production

Justify a selection decision for desirable traits using EBV data of 2 or more animals

Evaluate management strategies to support animal welfare during periods of drought, including early culling, management of drinking water supply and confinement feeding

Describe constraints on plant and animal production, including genotype, climate, water availability, pests and diseases

Describe objective measurement techniques used to evaluate the existing quality criteria of a food product and a fibre product

Describe the physical changes of an agricultural plant and animal in response to a pest or disease

Explain agricultural management practices that influence soil health

Analyse an integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) plan for a pest or disease in agricultural production

Evaluate the use of a seasonal outlook technology

Evaluate the impact of management decisions on the quality and yield of an agricultural product

Describe the carbon cycle in agricultural production

Explain the role of carbon sequestration and emissions reduction in agricultural production

Describe the nitrogen cycle in agricultural production

Describe waste management strategies in plant and animal production

Analyse the influences of environmental factors that determine the available growing season, including frost-free days, maximum and minimum daily temperatures, seasonal photoperiod, and annual and monthly rainfall distribution

Evaluate ways to mitigate the constraints of climatic conditions, including protected cropping and intensive animal production

Assess the use of a technology designed to monitor water use in irrigated agricultural production

Explain economic sustainability in agricultural production

Calculate the gross margin budget for an unprocessed food product

Calculate the gross margin budget for an unprocessed fibre product

Explain supplementary sources of income, including agritourism, water trading and land leasing for energy projects

Explain precision agriculture techniques

Analyse the impact of a farm’s natural capital on cost savings, income generation, risk management and access to government incentives