Phonological awareness is a critical skill for all students’ literacy development and a predictor of later reading and spelling success.

Phonological awareness consists of 5 subskills beginning with word, syllable, onset/rime awareness, moving to the more complex subskills of basic and advanced phonemic awareness.

About the assessment

The Phonological awareness diagnostic assessment is a short on-demand assessment that tells teachers how students are progressing in phonological awareness. The assessment complements existing strategies used to identify students' progress in foundational literacy skills development.

It allows students to demonstrate what they know and can do and clarifies for teachers their students’ skill level for the subskills. Teachers can use the assessment flexibly, by choosing which subskills they will assess, to suit the needs of individual students.

The assessment takes approximately 20 minutes and is conducted by classroom teachers with individual students. The assessment is available for any student from Kindergarten onwards.

Information for families and carers

If you have any questions relating to the Phonics diagnostic assessment, please speak to your school.