QCAA Business study plan

Define the four market structures (perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, monopoly) in your own words and give one real Australian example of each

Explain how demand, supply and equilibrium price are determined and draw three labelled diagrams showing a shift in demand, a shift in supply and a price ceiling

Distinguish between the internal and external business environment and list two factors in each that affect a Queensland small business

Describe the role of the ACCC and give two examples of conduct it regulates

Analyse how a change in one external factor (interest rates, technology or regulation) flows through to a firm's costs, pricing and output decisions

Compare the three main business models (sole trader, partnership, company) on liability, taxation, control and cost of establishment

Explain the concept of a value chain and identify primary and support activities for a chosen Australian business

Evaluate one industry case where digital disruption changed the competitive environment

Map the operations of a chosen business from inputs to outputs, identifying two transformation processes and two quality-control points

Compare job, batch, mass and continuous production methods and match each to a suitable industry

Explain how technology and lean principles (just-in-time, waste reduction) affect efficiency and quality

Assess one supply chain vulnerability and propose a mitigation strategy

Distinguish between internal and external growth strategies and give two advantages and two disadvantages of each

Explain horizontal, vertical and conglomerate integration using one example per type

Interpret basic financial statements (income statement, balance sheet) to calculate gross profit margin, net profit margin and current ratio

Identify three sources of business finance and match each to an appropriate growth stage

Apply a decision-making model (identify problem, gather data, evaluate options, decide, review) to a realistic business scenario

Construct a simple break-even calculation and explain what happens to the break-even point when fixed costs rise

Evaluate the risks of expansion using at least three criteria such as cash flow, market demand and capability

Compare quantitative and qualitative decision criteria and explain when each is more useful

Identify the main stakeholder groups of a business and rank their interests and influence in a given scenario

Explain the difference between shareholder and stakeholder perspectives on business performance

Describe three sustainability dimensions (economic, social, environmental) and give one business practice for each

Analyse a conflict between profit maximisation and a sustainability obligation and propose a resolution

Evaluate one regulatory or ethical framework (for example environmental reporting or fair trading) and its effect on business decisions

Assess how consumer, employee and community expectations have changed and how a business has responded

Synthesise links between market structure, sustainability pressure and stakeholder power in a single argument

Critique a real company's sustainability report for evidence versus claims

Consolidate all four domains into a one-page concept map showing at least eight cross-domain links

Complete two timed practice responses (one short answer, one extended response) under exam conditions

Audit weak areas using your earlier deliverables and rewrite the three weakest explanations

Draft and memorise a reusable extended-response structure with a clear judgement and evidence pattern