The Design and Technology course involves the study of both designing and producing.  The course involves hands-on practical activities which develop knowledge and skills. These projects involve the design, production and evaluation of a product, system or environment and include evidence of the design process recorded in a design portfolio.

Preliminary Course (Year 11)

• Authentic and Collaborative design- Unit explores the design process, who are designers, what influences design practice and how this can be put into practice by the student. Builds knowledge and understanding of design folio: identification, exploration, development, realisation and evaluation.

• Sustainable Design - Unit explores impact of design and production on the environment, the community and the individual. Students look for ways of being more sustainable in their designing and what factors affect design.  

HSC Course (Year 12)

• Product Identification and Development - Unit focuses on the Major Design Project, student project design development, manufacture and realisation with a focus on communication.

• Innovation, Project development and realisation - Unit focuses on innovations  and emerging technologies in design and industry while examininging the play between technology and industry. MDP realisation and evaluation.

Typical School-Based Assessment

• Preliminary Course (Year 11)

• Australian Designer Case study 

• Collaborative Design Project  

• Design Project & Folio  

HSC Course (Year 12)

• MDP proposal Oral presentation 

• Innovation Case study 

• Industry comparison, research and testing assessment 

• Trial HSC Exam 

HSC Exam

Duration: 90 min

Typical format: 10 x multi choice, 4 x multi-part x short answer 2-8marks, 1 x extended response 15 marks

Externally marked -Major Design Project  and Portfolio

Possible Vocational/Career Pathways

• Engineer (Design, Mechanical, Civil, or Product-focused fields), Engineering Technician 

• Industrial Designer, Product Designer, Interior Designer, Furniture Designer

• UX/UI Designer, Service Designer, Innovation Designer, Design Researcher

• Architect, Architectural Technician, Interior Architect, Landscape Designer

Tertiary Prerequisite Possibilities

• Engineering pathways (Mechanical, Civil, or related design-focused fields)

• Industrial Design, Product Design, or Interior Design degrees

• Architecture and Built Environment programs

• Business, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, or Product Development pathway

Past Student Challenges

• Independent responsibilities/initiative

• Skills in researching, testing, critical thinking, analysing and communicating

• Need to work on projects research and testing and portfolio during personal-time 

Students who do well in/enjoy this subject

• Interested in design and problem solving

• Typical weekly personal time investment 2-4 hrs

• Independent learners who enjoy working on a single project for three terms, until it is right.

Course Overview

Preliminary Course (Year 11)

Engineering Fundamentals -This unit develops an understanding of the basic principles associated with engineering.  Components of the engineering report will be introduced.

Engineered Products - This unit explores how engineering principles are applied to objects, with a detailed examination and analysis of a selected product.

Braking Systems -  This unit details a variety of braking systems, how engineering principles are applied in the design of the systems. 

Biomedical Engineering -  Examples of biomedical engineering are used to develop an understanding of the scope and nature of this profession.

HSC Course (Year 12)

Civil Structure - Analysis of civil structure e.g bridges is undertaken to explore environments influences and stresses and how these can be combated through engineered principles. 

Personal and Public Transport -This unit examines forces, the impact of design and the analysis of material used within this industry.

Aeronautical Engineering - A detailed examination of forces, the design of aeronautical structures and materials along with the scope of the profession, while producing an engineering report for this topic.

Telecommunications Engineering -  Students examine components of engineering systems as they apply to telecommunication. 

Typical school-based Course Assessment

Preliminary Course (Year 11)

• Engineering assessment

• Topic Test

• End of Course Exam

HSC Course (Year 12)

• Topic Test

• Engineering report

• Mid Course and Trial HSC Exams

HSC Exam

Duration: 3 hours

Typical format: multi choice, multi-part short answers

Possible Vocational/Career Pathways

• Various engineering pathways, maintenance technician, CAD drafter, construction manager

• Electrical engineer, electronics technician, systems engineer, power systems engineer

• Rehabilitation technology or biomechanist

Tertiary Prerequisite Possibilities

• Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Mechatronics, Biomedical, Aviation) degrees

• Architecture and Built Environment programs

• Industrial Design, Product Design, or Engineering Design courses

Past Student Challenges

• Misconception that the course is predominantly practical, when it is largely theory-based with applied calculations, analysis, & report writing.

• Difficulty managing complex mathematical and scientific concepts embedded within engineering contexts. Interpreting technical terminology and applying engineering principles to structured problem-solving tasks.

• Adapting to extended written responses and formal engineering report requirements.

• Find technical hand drawing difficult.

Students who do well in/enjoy this subject

• Interest in designing and developing engineering solutions to real-world problems Strong enjoyment of problem-solving, analysis, and understanding how systems and structures work, through a variety of contexts.

• Appreciation for hands-on learning that includes CAD modelling, investigation, and engineering design processes.

• A solid foundation in Year 10 Mathematics (C grade or higher), supporting success with calculations and applied engineering concepts

Course Overview

Food Technology focuses on nutritional science, food properties, and the factors influencing food availability and selection, integrating theoretical and practical learning. Students gain skills in the safe planning, preparation, and presentation of food.

Preliminary Course (Year 11)

• Food Availability and Selection - Students examine the historical and cultural factors that have shaped the contemporary Australian food supply.

• Food Quality - This unit examines food safety and the physical and chemical changes that occur during food preparation.

• Nutrition - A comprehensive study of the nutrients essential for human health and the biological processes of digestion and metabolism.

HSC Course (Year 12)

• Australian Food Industry - Students investigate food supply chains, industry sectors, and the impact of policies, legislation, and technology on food production and availability.

• Food Manufacturing - This unit explores the processing, preservation, packaging, and distribution of food within the modern food industry.

• Food Product Development - This unit focuses on the processes involved in developing new food products from concept to market.

• Contemporary Nutritional Issues - Students explore dietary trends, health concerns, and the impact of nutrition on wellbeing across the lifespan.

Typical School-Based Assessment

Preliminary Course (Year 11)

• Integrated research and practical tasks x 2

• End of Course Exam

• HSC Course (Year 12)

• Australian food Industry case study 

• Food manufacturing writing task

• Food product research task 

• Trial HSC Exam

HSC Exam

Duration: 3 hours

Typical format: 20 x multi choice, 7 x short answer 2-8marks, 2 x extended response 15 marks

Possible Vocational/Career Pathways

• Food science, nutrition, dietetics, and health-related fields

• Food manufacturing, product development, quality assurance, and food technology roles

• Community health, fitness, education, and public health sectors

Tertiary Prerequisite Possibilities

• Food Science and Technology

• Nutrition and Dietetics

• Health Science and Exercise Science

• Hospitality and Tourism Management

Past Student Challenges

• Managing the volume of theory content alongside limited practical time

• Demonstrating independence in planning, preparing, and evaluating food

• Understanding and applying food-specific terminology

• Maintaining consistent study and preparation outside of class

Students who do well in/enjoy this subject

• Demonstrate interest in food, nutrition, and health

• Engage in independent and consistent study practices

• Apply research, analysis, and communication skills effectively

• Participate in both theoretical and  practical learning experiences

• Typical weekly personal study time 2–3 hours

Course Overview

Preliminary Course (Year 11)

• Industry - Introduction to the metal and engineering industries, including workplace practices, WHS requirements, sustainability considerations, production processes, and industry structure. 

• Metal Products - Investigation of a range of metal materials and products, focusing on their properties, uses, and suitability for different design and manufacturing applications.

• Design and Production of Metal - Development of practical skills in designing, planning, and producing metal projects using workshop tools, equipment, and industry-standard fabrication techniques, supported by technical documentation and evaluation.

HSC Course (Year 12)

• Introduction to HSC, Project Development and Portfolio - Initial planning of the major metal project, including research, concept development, and commencement of portfolio documentation.

• Project Development and Industry Study - Refinement of design ideas and production planning, alongside study of the metal and engineering industries, including materials, processes, and workplace practices.

• Project Production and Portfolio - Construction of the major metal project using workshop tools, machinery, and fabrication techniques, with ongoing documentation of progress in the portfolio.

• Project Production, Portfolio and Revision - Completion of the major project and portfolio, including final refinement, testing, and evaluation of design and production outcomes.

Typical school-based Course Assessment

Preliminary Course (Year 11)

• Industry study

• Group design project and portfolio

• End of Course Exam

HSC Course (Year 12)

• Management Folio Presentation

• Industry Study; Major Project & Folio

• Trial Exam

HSC Exam

Duration: 90 min

Typical format: multi choice, short answer, extended response

Externally marked -Major Project and Portfolio

Possible vocational/career pathways

• Metal fabricator, boilermaker, welder, sheet metal worker, Mechanical fitter, maintenance technician, construction worker

• Automotive mechanic, panel beater, automotive technician

• CAD drafter, engineering technician, toolmaker

Tertiary prerequisite possibilities

• Metals and Engineering Cert III

• Engineering degrees (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Civil, Industrial, Mechatronics) 

• Industrial Design or Product Design programs

• Automotive Engineering and Aviation-related programs

Past Student challenges

• Understanding and applying technical and industry-specific vocabulary related to materials, tools, and manufacturing processes.

• Applying skills in research, critical thinking, analysis, and communication when developing and evaluating design solutions.

• Working effectively in large-group workshop environments where teacher attention is shared across multiple projects.

Students who do well in/enjoy this subject:

• Interested in design, engineering principles, and precision metal fabrication and manufacturing processes

• Enjoy practical, hands-on workshop environments that require accuracy, problem-solving, and attention to detail

• Independent learners who can sustain focus on single major project over an extended period

Course Overview

Preliminary Course (Year 11)

• Industry - Introduction to the multimedia industry, including workplace practices, roles, technologies, and production processes used in digital media environments.

• Multimedia Products - Investigation of a range of multimedia products such as video, animation, websites, and interactive media, focusing on their purpose, design, and application.

• Design and Production of Multimedia - Development of practical skills in planning, designing, and producing multimedia content using industry-standard software, supported by technical documentation and evaluation.

HSC Course (Year 12)

• Introduction to HSC, Project Development and Portfolio - Initial planning and development of the major multimedia project, including research, concept development, and commencement of portfolio documentation.

• Project Development and Industry Study - Refinement of design ideas and production planning, alongside a focused study of the multimedia industry, including practices, technologies, and production processes.

• Project Production and Portfolio - Creation of the major multimedia project using industry-standard software, with ongoing documentation of development within the portfolio.

• Project Production, Portfolio and Revision - Continued production and refinement of the major project, incorporating testing, feedback, and improvements to meet design intentions and quality standards.

Typical school-based Course Assessment

Preliminary Course (Year 11)

• Industry study 

• Group design project and portfolio

• End of Course Exam

HSC Course (Year 12)

• Management Folio Presentation

• Industry Study; Major Project & Folio

• Trial Exam

HSC Exam

Duration: 90 min

Typical format: multi choice,  short answer , extended response 40%

Externally marked - Major Project and Portfolio 60%

Possible vocational/career pathways

Graphic designer, multimedia designer, web designer, video editor, animator, game designer, content creator, photographer, VFX artist, colour grader, sound designer

Tertiary prerequisite possibilities

• Web or Game Design, Digital Media, Multimedia Design, or Interactive Media degrees, Graphic Design, Visual Communication or Animation programs

• Film, Television, and Media Production courses

Past Student challenges

• Managing the content across multiple multimedia platforms and production skills

• Demonstrating strong independent responsibility and initiative to plan, develop, and complete major project work

• Understanding and applying specific technical terminology

Students who do well in/enjoy this subject:

• Interested in film or animation design and making, and are willing to learn and apply industry-standard software tools across multiple media formats

• Independent learners who enjoy working on a single project for three terms, until it is right.

Course Overview

Preliminary Course (Year 11)

• Industry - Study of the timber and furniture industries, including workplace practices, safety, sustainability, and production processes used in manufacturing and construction contexts.

• Timber Products - Investigation of timber materials and products, focusing on their properties, uses, and suitability for different design and construction applications.

• Design and Production of Timber - Development of practical skills in designing, planning, and producing timber projects using workshop tools, equipment, and industry-standard techniques, supported by technical documentation and evaluation.

HSC Course (Year 12)

• Introduction to HSC, Project Development and Portfolio - Initial planning and development of the Major Project, including research, concept development, and commencement of the supporting portfolio.

• Project Development and Industry Study - Refinement of design ideas and construction planning, alongside a focused study of industry practices, materials, and production processes relevant to timber manufacturing.

• Project Production and Portfolio - Construction of the Major Project using workshop tools and techniques, with ongoing documentation of progress through the portfolio.

• Project Production, Portfolio and Revision - Completion of the Major Project and portfolio, including final evaluation of design, construction processes, and finished product quality.

Typical school-based Course Assessment

Preliminary Course (Year 11)

• Industry study 

• Group design project and portfolio

• End of Course Exam

HSC Course (Year 12)

• Management Folio Presentation

• Industry Study; Major Project & Folio

• Trial Exam

HSC Exam

Duration: 90 min

Typical format: multi choice, short answer, extended response

Externally marked -Major Project and Portfolio 

Possible Vocational/Career Pathways

• Carpenter, cabinet maker, joiner, furniture maker

• Shopfitter, construction worker, building trades assistant, formworker

• Wood machinist, production worker, assembly technician, CNC operator

Tertiary Prerequisite Possibilities

• Construction Management, Building, or Carpentry-related courses 

• Engineering pathways (Civil, Structural, or related fields)

• Trade apprenticeships in carpentry, cabinet making, or shopfitting

Past Student Challenges

• Maintaining application to single project for long periods

• Independent responsibilities/initiative

• Skills in researching, creative thinking, and communicating

• Unwilling to study during personal-time 

• Managing time effectively to meet deadlines while balancing practical workshop tasks and written components

Students who do well in/enjoy this subject

• Interested in design and precision furniture making

• Typical weekly personal time investment 2-4 hrs

• Enjoy hands-on workshop learning that involves measuring, cutting, shaping, and assembling timber products

• Motivated by creating functional, real-world timber products from concept to completion

• Have strong attention to detail and take pride in producing high-quality, accurate finished work

Course Overview

Explores the creative design, production, and evaluation of textile products: both practical and theoretical understanding of materials, processes, and design innovation, with a focus on how textiles are conceived, constructed, and applied across the fashion and broader textile industries with personal & cultural contexts.

Preliminary Course (Year 11)

• Textiles Design - design principles and processes using textiles, documenting through a variety of communication techniques both by hand and digital.

• Australian Textiles Industry - the Australian Textile, Clothing, Footwear and Allied Industries is undertaken, examining past, present and future trends with a focus on analysis of quality and value.

• Properties and Performance of Textiles - structure and classification of textiles. Students experiment with techniques and material to build understanding and skills in manipulation of fibres and fabrics.   

HSC Course (Year 12)

• Design Cycles - how cultural and historical cycles influence contemporary fashion,  textiles and design. Students will research a chosen culture and examine techniques and societal influences. 

• Innovation and Emerging Technologies - innovations and emerging technologies in fibres, fabrics and manufacturing while examining sustainability issues for the in industry. MTP realisation and evaluation.

Typical School-Based Assessment

Preliminary Course (Year 11)

• Industry case study

• Fashion design and folio

• Textiles project and folio

HSC Course (Year 12)

• MTP proposal & presentation

• Innovation Case study

• Major Project Task 

• Trial HSC Exam 

HSC Exam

Duration: 90min

Typical format: multiple choice, 3 x multi-part short answer, 2 x extended response

Externally marked - Major Textiles Project  and Portfolio

Possible Vocational/Career Pathways

• Fashion/textile/costume designer, fashion illustrator, pattern maker, garment technician, fashion merchandiser, production assistant

• Interior textile designer, soft furnishings designer, product developer, textile technologist, retail buyer, fashion stylist or marketer, brand consultant

Tertiary Prerequisite Possibilities

• Fashion or Textile Design, or Fashion Marketing 

• Costume Design, Theatre Production, or Performing Arts (Costume) programs 

• Product Design or Industrial Design degrees (fabric/materials-focused streams)

• Interior Design or Interior Architecture pathways (soft furnishings/textiles focus

Past Student Challenges

• Managing sustained workload across practical textile production and written documentation components

• Maintaining independent initiative throughout long-term Major Textiles Project development

• Meeting deadlines for both design folios and hands-on construction tasks

• Applying research, critical thinking, and design analysis across historical, cultural, and technical content

Students who do well in/enjoy this subject

• Interested in fashion, textiles, design, and creative product development, enjoy artistic design with technical construction and problem-solving

• Strong interest in creativity, experimentation, and hands-on making processes

• Independent learners who enjoy working on long-term creative projects from concept structured design processes through to finished product

Course Overview

This course develops practical skills in computer and information technology, reflecting their central role in modern work and everyday life. Students will use industry-standard tools such as Google Workspace and Adobe applications to complete real-world tasks including digital design, business promotion, and the effective use of spreadsheets and databases.

Preliminary Course (Year 11)

• Defining Our Business - Students develop an understanding of how business ideas are formed and structured within a digital environment, establishing the foundation for their practical work across the course. 

• Graphics - Develops practical digital design skills using industry-standard software to create visual content for real-world applications. Focuses on the principles of effective visual communication, focusing on layout, branding, and design techniques used in professional digital media.

• Spreadsheets & Databases - Develops skills in organising, managing, and analysing data using spreadsheets and database systems. Explore how data is structured and interpreted, focusing on accuracy, efficiency, and real-world problem solving using digital tools.

• Multimedia - Create and edit digital multimedia content for communication and presentation purposes. Combines text, images, audio, and video to produce engaging and effective digital media products.

• Communications - Students develop effective digital and professional communication skills for a range of audiences and purposes. We focus on clear, purposeful communication using digital tools, including professional writing, presentation, and collaboration techniques.

Typical School-Based Assessment

Preliminary Course (Year 11)

• Industry Case Study 

• Project Portfolio 

• End of Course Exam

HSC Course (Year 12)

N/A

HSC Exam 

N/A

Possible Vocational/Career Pathways

• Administration manager, clerical assistant

• Database administrator 

• Social media manager, digital marketer, SEO specialist, content creator

Tertiary Prerequisite Possibilities

• Business, Data Analytics, or Information Systems courses

• Digital Media, Graphic Design, or Multimedia Design programs

• Marketing, Communications, or Digital Marketing 

Past Student Challenges

Students mistakenly expected the course to be an extension of Stage 5 Computing Technology, when the course is actually focussed on skill based software use.

Students who do well in/enjoy this subject

• Thrive in learning environments that combine teacher instruction with independent, hands-on project work

• Prefer practical, skill-based learning involving problem solving, creativity, and real-world task completion

• Typically invest regular weekly personal time 2hrs