What is PISA?
PISA measures 15-year-olds’ ability to use their science, reading and maths knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges.
PISA 2015 participants
72
Countries
Countries
540 000
Students worldwide
Students worldwide
14 530
Australian students
Australian students
758
Australian schools
Australian schools
Australia versus the world
Number of countries/economies
Significantly higher than Australia
At a similar level to Australia
Significantly lower than Australia** While 72 countries participated in PISA 2015, Australia’s performance has only been compared with those countries that achieved a mean score that was higher than the lowest performing OECD country (Mexico).
Australian achievement trends
Students achieving national proficient standard
Level 3 or above
Australian achievement gaps in equivalent years of schooling
Science
Reading
Maths
by state/territory
Highest performing state/territory
1.5 years
1.5 years
1 year
Lowest performing state/territory
by gender
No difference between boys and girls
Girls 1 year ahead of boys
No difference between boys and girls
by wealth
Highest socioeconomic quartile
3 years
3 years
Lowest socioeconomic quartile
by Indigenous status
Non-Indigenous students
2.5 years
2.5 years
2.3 years
Indigenous students