-
Students read ~17.1 books per year on average; total words read declined vs. 2024, signalling a need to protect reading time.
-
Comprehension lags behind difficulty-especially from the middle years-highlighting the need to pair choice with explicit support.
-
Series reading = stamina: multiple-series readers spend more time reading and finish far more books over the year.
What Kids Are Reading 2025 - Australia
Discover what Australian students are really reading
The 2025 Reading Report: What Every School Needs to Know
Discover what Australian students are really reading, where comprehension dips, and how schools can keep momentum from K-2 through to Years 9-12. Insights are based on over 1 million books, 20.4 billion words read, and nearly 60,000 students across 356 schools using Accelerated Reader.
Key findings
What’s inside the PDF
- K–2 foundations: High engagement with challenging texts; comprehension still needs guided support. Popular local authors include Anh Do and Aaron Blabey.
- Years 3–5 momentum: Series drive volume (e.g., Wimpy Kid, Harry Potter); 15+ minutes/day links with stronger gains.
- Years 6–8 inflection point: Average difficulty rises, yet comprehension drops to mid-70s%; variety + peer recs matter.
- Years 9–12 reality check: Many read years below chronological age; choice and relevance help sustain independent reading.
- Matching books to readers: ATOS & Lexile guidance to balance challenge and interest.
- Actionable strategies: Daily practice targets, series leverage, and making reading social to boost stamina and understanding.