11–12Industrial Technology 11–12 Syllabus (2026)

Analyse the structure, growth and harvesting of timber, including sapwood, heartwood, growth rings and cellular structure

Explain the production and processing of timber, including milling, seasoning and conversion methods, including live sawing, quarter sawing and back sawing

Identify engineered timber products used in industry, including plywood, particle board and laminated materials

Assess the suitability of timber and engineered products for project production based on strength, stability, durability, machinability and appearance

Identify hardwoods and softwoods used in Australian timber industries and analyse their industrial applications

Evaluate the environmental impact of timber sourcing and production, including forestry practices, biodiversity considerations and life-cycle impacts

Explain how timber properties influence compatibility with adhesives, fasteners and finishing systems

Select materials for project production based on strength, durability, aesthetics, construction suitability and compatibility with available tools and joining processes

Inspect and assess the condition and operation of tools and equipment for accuracy, efficiency and safe production

Use and evaluate jigs, fixtures and tooling systems for precision and repeatability in production

Explain woodworking machinery and automated systems used beyond school-based workshops, including computer numerical control (CNC) routing, laser cutting and automated panel processing

Select and apply timber joining techniques for structure and function, including carcase, framing and widening joints

Apply preparation and marking-out techniques for accuracy, joint quality and assembly fit

Select and justify joining methods based on timber type, joint function, strength requirements, durability and production constraints

Explain the selection and use of adhesives and fastening systems in timber products in relation to material compatibility, joint function and service conditions

Explain the selection and use of fittings and allied materials in timber products in relation to function and load requirements, including hinges, knock-down fittings, brackets and fixing systems

Investigate industrial finishing systems, including solvent-based, water-based, oil-based and finishes cured by ultraviolet (UV) light

Investigate natural surface treatments for timber products used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Select and apply surface preparation techniques used in timber industries, including sanding, scraping, planing, progressive sanding, dust extraction and surface conditioning, for surface quality and adhesion

Evaluate finishing materials and systems based on timber type, application method, end use, environmental conditions and sustainability considerations

Apply finishing materials and systems to achieve required surface quality, durability and appearance

Compare the output precision, repeatability and productivity of woodworking machines

Investigate industry practices in large-scale timber manufacturing, including workflow sequencing, integration of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and quality assurance systems

Explain the role of automated manufacturing processes in timber production, including CNC machining and automated panel processing

Explain decision-making processes in timber industries for selecting materials, tools and equipment based on productivity, manufacturing efficiency and environmental performance

Explain how lean manufacturing principles are applied in timber fabrication, including material optimisation, process efficiency and waste reduction