Australian Students Record Lowest Digital Literacy Scores in 20 Years

Australian students posted their lowest digital literacy scores since national testing began two decades ago. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority assessment showed 50 per cent of Year 6 students and 37 per cent of Year 10 students met or exceeded the proficient standard for information and communication technology literacy in 2025.

More than 97 per cent of students have a computer or tablet at home. The test measured tasks such as designing algorithms, analysing data, and handling online safety scenarios, including setting up a point-of-sale system.

60 per cent of Year 10 students and more than 30 per cent of Year 6 students use generative AI to create written content at least monthly. One in four Year 10 students reported daily school use. Only 66 per cent of Year 10 students and 50 per cent of Year 6 students said they had learned at school how to judge AI-generated information for accuracy.

A Sydney college is forming a specialist team to study student AI use and determine how literacy should be taught. The principal stated that access alone does not produce literacy and that ethical, discerning use must be developed. A Year 6 student at the college said the curriculum should focus on verifying whether AI output is real and on solid fact-checking methods.

Two classmates said they sometimes cannot tell when AI content is inaccurate and need instruction on spotting mistakes.