11–12Engineering Studies 11–12 Syllabus (2026)

Record of changes

Implementation from 2028

Expand for detailed implementation advice

Overview Rationale Aim Outcomes Content Assessment Glossary Teaching and learning support

Content

Year 11

Teaching advice

Examples

Applied engineering analysis

Developments in engineering over time

Outline key engineering advancements that characterise the major industrial revolutions from mechanisation to digital systems
Investigate the environmental and structural engineering practices of the Brewarrina fish traps
Outline the impact of the work of selected engineers on significant engineering development
Identify examples of engineering failures and evaluate their impact on society and the environment
Explain how Aboriginal Peoples have developed sustainable engineering practices through adaptation
Describe the subtractive manufacturing process of computer numerical control (CNC) machining to produce components to final size
Outline the use of 3-dimensional (3D) scanning and additive manufacturing methods used in engineering applications

Foundations of mechanics

Identify the International System of Units (SI), symbols and quantities, and demonstrate the use of dimensionally sound equations and formulas
Calculate unknown sides in right-angled triangles using Pythagoras’ theorem
Calculate unknown sides or angles in triangles using trigonometric ratios
Apply the sine rule to calculate unknown sides or angles in triangles using $\frac{a}{\sin A} = \frac{b}{\sin B} = \frac{c}{\sin C}$
Calculate horizontal and vertical components of forces using trigonometric ratios
Apply the formulas $A = π r^{2}$ or $A = \frac{π D^{2}}{4}$ to solve problems involving the area of a circle
Describe and identify scalar and vector quantities
Represent vectors graphically using a suitable scale
Apply the formula $F = ma$ to solve problems involving force, where $F$ is the force with units in Newtons (N), $m$ is the mass with units in kilograms (kg) and $a$ is acceleration with units in metres per second squared (m/s²), using the standard acceleration due to gravity of 10 m/s² as recommended for engineering calculations

Equilibrium in mechanics

Identify forces as causing tension, compression, shear, bending or torsion
Represent active and reactive forces using space and free body diagrams (FBD)
Resolve forces into vertical and horizontal components using graphical and analytical methods
Solve vector addition problems both graphically and analytically
Calculate resultant and equilibrant forces both graphically and analytically
Identify and apply the conditions needed for equilibrium, specifically referencing $Ʃ M_{indicated point} = 0 ↻^{+}; Ʃ F_{x} = 0 \to^{+}; Ʃ F_{y} = 0 ↑^{+}$
Explain the principle of transmissibility of forces
Recognise conditions of equilibrium of concurrent coplanar forces
Solve concurrent coplanar-force problems both graphically and analytically
Apply the three-force rule for equilibrium to find unknown forces
Describe the concept of moments in engineering
Calculate moments using the formula $M = Fd$ where $M$ is the moment with units in Newton metres (Nm), $F$ is the force applied with units in Newtons (N) and $d$ is the perpendicular distance with units in metres (m) from the line of action of the force to the pivot, and using the sign convention of clockwise moments as positive
Solve problems of equilibrium with vertical, horizontal and inclined forces using moments

Friction in mechanics

Explain the concept of friction using examples from engineering applications
Compare the static and dynamic coefficient of friction
Represent static friction using FBDs showing weight force, normal force, friction force and moving force
Solve problems relating to static friction on a horizontal plane using the formula $F_{f} = μ_{s} N$ , where $F_{f}$ is frictional force with units in Newtons (N), $μ_{s}$ is the coefficient of static friction (frictional resistance ratio) and $N$ is the normal reaction force with units in Newtons (N)

Mechanical strength of materials

Explain the purpose of converting load-extension diagrams to stress-strain diagrams to standardise results
Compare the mechanical properties of the stress-strain diagrams for steels, copper, aluminium, polymers and ceramics, and identify the difference in yield strength, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), stiffness, toughness and extension, by using the diagram without calculations
Compare the toughness of annealed copper and annealed mild steel by comparing areas under the stress-strain curve, without calculations
Solve problems related to stress using the formula $σ = \frac{P}{A}$ , where $σ$ is stress with units in Pascals (Pa), $P$ is the applied load with units in Newtons (N) and $A$ is the cross-sectional area with units in metres squared (m²)
Solve problems related to strain using the formula $ε = \frac{change in length}{original length} = \frac{∆ L}{L_{o}} or \frac{e}{L}$ , where $ε$ is strain (no units as strain is a ratio), $Δ L$ (or $e$ ) is the change in length with units in metres (m) and $L_{o}$ (or $L$ ) is the original length with units in metres (m)
Solve problems using the formula $E = \frac{σ}{ε}$ , where $E$ is Young’s modulus with units in Pascals (Pa), $σ$ is stress with units in Pascals (Pa) and $ε$ is strain (no units)

Mechanics of simple machines

Explain the function of simple machines including levers, pulleys, inclined planes, gears and screw threads
Classify the order of levers using FBDs
Calculate mechanical advantage (MA) for levers with known forces acting both perpendicular and at an angle to the lever, using the formula $MA = \frac{L}{E}$ , where $MA$ is mechanical advantage with no units, $L$ is load with units in Newtons (N) and $E$ is effort with units in Newtons (N)
Calculate the velocity ratio of levers using the formula $VR = \frac{D_{E}}{D_{L}}$ , where $VR$ is velocity ratio, $D_{E}$ is distance moved by the effort with units in metres (m) and $D_{L}$ is the distance moved by the load with units in metres (m)
Calculate efficiency using the formula $η = \frac{MA}{VR}$ , where $η$ is efficiency (expressed as a percentage or decimal, showing the relationship between $MA$ and $VR$ ), $MA$ is the mechanical advantage and $VR$ is the velocity ratio
Explain the changes in mechanical advantage and efficiency while the velocity ratio remains constant

Electronic concepts

Describe the electrical terms of voltage, resistance and current
Identify and apply standard symbols and units for voltage, resistance and current
Apply Ohm’s law using the formula $V = IR$ where $V$ is voltage with units in volts (V), $I$ is current with units in amps (A) and $R$ is resistance with units in ohms (Ω) to determine the relationship between voltage, current and resistance in electrical circuits
Calculate the total resistance of resistors in series circuits using the formula $R_{t} = R_{1} + R_{2} + R_{3} +$ $\dots$ , where $R_{t}$ is total resistance with units in ohms (Ω) and $R_{1}$ , $R_{2}$ , $R_{3}$ , $\dots$ are individual resistances with units in ohms (Ω)
Calculate the total resistance of resistors in parallel circuits using the formula $\frac{1}{R_{t}} = \frac{1}{R_{1}} + \frac{1}{R_{2}} + \frac{1}{R_{3}} + \dots$ , where $R_{t}$ is total resistance with units in ohms (Ω) and $\frac{1}{R_{1}}, \frac{1}{R_{2}}, \frac{1}{R_{3}}, \dots$ are individual resistances with units in ohms (Ω)
Compare alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) applications and waveforms
Draw symbols for fixed resistors, general switches, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), general diodes, general capacitors, earthing, cells and batteries using the Australian Standard for Graphical Symbols for Electrotechnical Documentation (AS 1102)
Draw simple series and parallel circuits using the Australian Standard for Graphical Symbols for Electrotechnical Documentation (AS 1102) incorporating cells or batteries to represent switching and lighting applications
Investigate electrical risks and safety hazards when working with electrical components

Related files

Year 12