New report shows widespread use of AI and other digital tools by Australian students despite a fall in results
27 May 2026 Australian students are enthusiastic users of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital tools, according to the latest report from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). Despite this, the report also shows a decline in Australian students’ information communication technology (ICT) literacy since 2022.
The findings come from the National Assessment Program – ICT Literacy (NAP-ICTL) 2025 Public Report, which presents the results of the latest NAP-ICTL assessment that tested students’ general ICT skills and knowledge in a sample of schools across the country.
The 2025 report shows that, at the national level, results have fallen since the last assessment undertaken in 2022 and to the lowest levels since the assessment began in 2005.
- 50% of Year 6 students attained the proficient standard. This is a decline from 55% in 2022 and is also lower than the national percentages observed in 2011.
- 37% of Year 10 students attained the proficient standard, which is the lowest percentage observed since the assessment's inception.
This declining trend in student performance has also been observed in other recent international ICT assessments.
Commenting on the report, ACARA’s CEO Stephen Gniel said:
“These results provide timely, quality information to support schools, sectors, education departments and ministers, along with the broader community, to understand the current state of Australian students’ ICT literacy. It will also help them respond to the challenges of making sure all students are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need in ICT literacy to thrive at school and beyond.”
Read ACARA's media release (PDF 189 KB).
Find out more about the 2025 NAP-ICTL Report and its findings.