Quality of life · Knowledge & skills
As at 12 October 2026 · official data unless labelled
Student reading skills (PISA, age 15)
498 pointsBetter than the OECD median▼ 5 points2022vs OECD median 479 points
What the numbers are telling us
The average PISA reading score at age 15 was 498 points in 2022, down 5 points on the previous reading (503 points).
It is close to its average since 2015 of 501 points.
Across 37 OECD countries (2022), Australia ranks 8th best of 37 on reading, above the median of 479 points.
Why it matters
Reading underpins learning in every subject.
What it should be
There is no official target, so Australia is judged against comparable countries: higher than the OECD median is better. The OECD median is 479 points.
Reading: the last 4 readings
Student reading skills (PISA, age 15), 2012 to 2022
Australia ranks 8th best of 37 OECD countries
Reading, 2022; OECD median 479 points
Ireland516.01
Japan515.85
Korea515.42
Estonia511.03
Canada507.13
United States503.94
New Zealand500.85
Australia498.05
United Kingdom494.4
Finland490.22
Denmark488.8
Poland488.71
Every figure on this page is calculated from the stored official series (OECD, How's Life? Current well-being (OECD WISE)); the summary is written from the numbers, not edited by hand.