Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies

The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies is an international, multi-year research programme led by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It assesses the skills adults need to participate in society and support strong economies.

PIAAC measures adults’ proficiency in key information-processing skills, including literacy, numeracy and problem-solving. It also collects information about how adults use these skills at home and at work.

By linking skill levels with education pathways, work histories, job characteristics and social outcomes, PIAAC helps policymakers understand where skills gaps exist, who is most affected, and where policy can have the greatest impact.

Australia participated in the first cycle of PIAAC in 2011–12. PIAAC Cycle 2 is being delivered by Jobs and Skills Australia, in collaboration with Ipsos.

PIAAC collects information about adults’ skills and how those skills are used in everyday life. The study includes:

• a direct assessment of literacy, numeracy and adaptive problem-solving
• a background questionnaire covering education and training, employment and work history, demographic characteristics, and skill use at work and at home
• information that supports comparisons across population groups and countries.

• Literacy: understanding, evaluating, using and engaging with written texts to participate in society, achieve goals, and develop knowledge and potential.
• Numeracy: accessing, using, interpreting and communicating mathematical information and ideas to manage a range of adult-life situations.
• Problem-solving in technology-rich environments: using digital technology, communication tools and networks to acquire and evaluate information, communicate with others and perform practical tasks.