Australian adults are above the OECD average in literacy but only average in numeracy, according to a staff paper released by the Productivity Commission. The paper analyses the profile of adult literacy and numeracy skills in Australia, and how important those skills are for labour market outcomes. Key points: Adult literacy and numeracy skills contribute...

Research on the numeracy proficiency of youth and adults in Australia show that Australia's performance has declined. Last year’s OECD Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that 54 per cent of 15- to 74-year-olds – more than nine million adults – were performing at...

This review examined the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), its effectiveness, its unintended consequences, and potential improvements. Referral

On 15 May 2013 the Senate referred the following matter to the Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee for inquiry and report: the effectiveness of the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), with specific reference to: (a) whether the evidence suggests that NAPLAN is achieving its stated objectives; (b) unintended consequences of...

Numeracy skills are a key driver of economic growth and yet, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS 2008) nearly eight million Australian adults lack the numeracy skills to cope with everyday life and work. The vocational education and training (VET) sector is one part of the solution; however the VET workforce may be...