How Australia compares, and what parents can take from the numbers.
What is PISA?
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is the OECD's international assessment of 15-year-olds. In maths, it looks at how students use their knowledge to reason and solve problems beyond familiar classroom exercises. About PISA
Where does Australia stand?
In PISA 2025, released in September 2026, Australia scored 478 points in maths, above the OECD average of 463. Singapore scored 563, with Japan and Korea also well ahead of Australia. OECD results
What about China? Its B-S-J-Z entry scored 612, the highest reported maths mean. This covers Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, not all of China. China's results
The bigger concern is the trend
Australia's 2025 maths result was its lowest recorded in PISA, continuing a long-term decline. Being above the OECD average does not mean results are improving. Australia's 2025 results
Around three in ten Australian 15-year-olds were below PISA's baseline maths level. At the other end, 10% reached the highest levels, compared with 37% in Singapore. OECD Australia profile
Beyond the scores: PISA 2025 highlights
- Bullying. 23% of Australian students reported experiencing bullying at least a few times a month, compared with 20% across OECD countries. School safety
- Digital distraction. 39% of Australian students said peers were distracted by devices during most or all science lessons, compared with 28% across OECD countries. Digital use
- Family conversations. Only 44% of Australian students reported weekly discussions with parents or guardians about problems at school. Family support
These describe students' experiences, not proven causes of maths results. Explore the PISA 2025 key results.
Our recommendations
- Stay involved, early. Build arithmetic and mental maths through regular practice. Ask what feels difficult at school, and raise learning gaps or bullying concerns with teachers early.
- Protect time to focus. Agree limits on recreational screen time, keep games and notifications away from study, and use learning tools with a clear purpose.
- Choose support that fits. Plan school choices around your child's learning needs and wellbeing, alongside teaching quality, your family's priorities and budget.
