Statistics

Useful statistical articles that provide information on Australian language, literacy and numeracy and essential skills performance.

This site contains key background information about the IALS, the International Adult Literacy Survey. IALS’ goal was to create comparable literacy profiles across national, linguistic and cultural boundaries. Successive waves of the survey have encompassed close to 30 countries around the world including Australia. This site includes key reports such as Literacy Skills for the Knowledge Society: The Second International Report (including Australian data) and Literacy in the Information Age: The Final Report of the International Adult Literacy Survey.
 

There are two ways to browse the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development site by directorate or by theme. Enter the site via one of the THEMES if you are interested in OECD-wide work on a particular subject. Or use the keywords search facility to find information on literacy, training, education etc.
 

The Knowledge and Skills for Life report contains the initial results of the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a major new activity of the 30 Member countries of the OECD, together with some non-OECD countries. It aims at assessing how far students who are approaching the end of compulsory education have acquired some of the knowledge and skills that are essential for full participation in society.
 

The Survey of Aspects of Literacy (SAL) was a national survey designed to measure some elements of Australians' literacy and numeracy skills. This survey was part of the IALS. This short Australian Bureau of Statistics report provides a basic overview. Use the ‘related links’ button on this page to access further articles.
 

This is a rich site of research, policy and statistical documents under theme headings. Follow the link on this site to the UNESCO Literacy as Freedom website and follow the worldwide activity in the decade of literacy 2003 -2012.
 

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Australian Research

The Adult Literacy and Numeracy Australian Research Consortium represents a national collaboration between five university-based research centres, based on a collaborative research management model designed to respond to state-based needs. The Consortium was initially funded for the period 1999-2001/2 under Adult Literacy National Project funds provided by the Australian National Training Authority and managed by the Department of Education Science and Training. In the latter part of 2002 the Consortium has moved to a self-funded model of research support operating through five of the original six university centres, and the generous assistance of the School of Education, Faculty of Human Development Victoria University.
The site contains downloadable research reports and a wealth of useful links and access to membership of literacy list.
 

Research report aimed at exploring the literature related to the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS), giving particular attention to the Australian data and analysis and implications of the data, and make recommendations for further research. Report available through the ARIS website www.aris.com.au/
 

The Adult Literacy Research Program aims to provide research findings that contribute to policy development and practice in adult literacy.
The program is funded by the Department of Education, Science and Training as a component of the ANTA Adult Literacy National Project.
 

NCVER is responsible for the collection of national vocational education and training statistics and for managing employer, student and graduate surveys relating to vocational education and training outcomes and performance.

NCVER provides research, evaluation, statistical and other information to a wide range of stakeholders involved in the development of a quality vocational education and training system in Australia

Selected reports:

• Vocational education and training literacy and numeracy: Review of research , NCVER, 2001, M Watson et al, 2001
   

• Review of research: literacy and numeracy in vocational education and training , NCVER, Falk and Millar, 2001

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International research links

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