SA Numeracy Check
The SA Numeracy Check has been made available to AISSA member schools, with thanks to the South Australian Department for Education and the Hon Blair Boyer MP, Minister for Education, Training and Skills. The Victoria Department of Education has granted the SA Minister for Education permission to sublicense South Australian Numeracy Check Materials for use by AISSA and independent schools.
The AISSA is committed to supporting member schools by sharing evidence-based tools and resources that strengthen numeracy assessment and teaching. This webpage provides essential information for Year One teachers, early intervention staff, and primary teaching and learning leaders about the SA Numeracy Check.
Developed by the South Australian Department for Education, the SA Numeracy Check is based on the Mathematics Assessment Interview (MAI) and incorporates the Growth Points Framework developed by the Australian Catholic University.
For more information about the SA Numeracy Check, please contact Dr Desiree Gilbert.
About the SA Numeracy Check
The SA Numeracy Check is a short, one‑to‑one diagnostic interview conducted between a teacher and a Year One student. It is designed to identify a student’s strengths and areas for development across four key number domains:
- Counting
- Place Value
- Strategies for Addition and Subtraction
- Strategies for Multiplication and Division
Key Facts
Not a Pass or Fail Test – The SA Numeracy Check is designed to provide insights, not grades.
Supports Classroom Practice – Growth Point data analysis helps teachers understand each student’s mathematical knowledge and thinking, guiding next steps in learning.
One-to-One Interview – The check is conducted by the class teacher using a prescribed script. Each interview takes approximately fifteen to twenty minutes per student.
Growth Points for Planning – Growth Points assist in planning next steps and creating effective groupings within the classroom.
Flexible Use – While intended as a Year One intervention tool and screener, the SA Numeracy Check can be used before and beyond year one.
The AISSA supports member schools in engaging with assessment tools of their choice to inform teaching and learning. Schools may already use an assessment tool to monitor numeracy progress; however, they may also choose to trial or adopt the 2026 SA Numeracy Check as part of their assessment practices
Testing Window
A late Term One (weeks six to nine) testing window is recommended to support timely, effective diagnostic formative assessment and to inform intervention planning. However, Independent schools can use the assessment at any time in line with school-based assessment portfolios and teaching programs.
Schools should plan to:
- provide training for year one teachers and early intervention staff
- support teachers in administering the check
- assist with data analysis, responding to results, and implementing effective teaching programs, including interventions where needed
- communicate the purpose and process of the SA Numeracy Check with parents.
Terms of Use
The SA Numeracy Check and supporting materials were adapted by the Government of South Australia, Department for Education, with the permission of the State of Victoria through the Department of Education. The copyright in all adaptation, modification or reproduction of the SA Numeracy Check Materials remains vested in the State of Victoria, Department of Education. AISSA member schools have been granted Permitted Use of the 2026 SA Numeracy Check. Permitted Use is subject to the terms and conditions set out below:
- The SA Numeracy Check materials will only be accessed and used for the purposes of supporting numeracy learning and teaching in AISSA Member Schools.
- The SA Numeracy Check is not to be copied, reproduced, transmitted, adapted, altered, added to, varied, modified, or published electronically without the prior written consent of the AISSA.
- The SA Numeracy Check is only to be used for internal purposes and is not to be sold, licensed, transferred, supplied, provided, or otherwise made available to any person, nor used to provide services to any person without the prior written consent of the AISSA.
- The AISSA have no liability to any SA Independent school or other person (on any basis, including negligence) for, and no representation or warranty (express or implied) is or has been made by the AISSA or any person on its behalf in relation to, the quality, accuracy, reliability, completeness, suitability, operation or fitness for any purpose of the SA Numeracy Check.
- SA Independent school users acknowledge that they use the SA Numeracy Check at their own risk and that the AISSA does not accept any liability in relation to their use of or reliance on it.
SA Numeracy Check Materials
AISSA Numeracy Check Administration Guide
AISSA Numeracy Check Factsheet
AISSA Numeracy Check Student Record
Numeracy Check Growth Points Analysis Spreadsheet
Numeracy Check Resource Kits Contents
On the way Growth Points
AISSA Resources (Resource Kit templates)
Resource template – Domain 2 Place Value
Resource template – Domain 3 Addition and Subtraction
Resource template – Domain 4 Multiplication and Division
Resource template – Teddy Bear mat
Alternative Numeracy Screening and Diagnostic Assessments (For Year One students and other year levels)
The ESA Numeracy Check – is an alternative assessment tool designed for teachers to evaluate the numeracy knowledge of Year One students in Australia.
Brightpath Maths – Brightpath online mathematics assessment tool for students in years 2–9 is engineered to drive school-wide improvement in student maths skills. Focusing on individual and combined strands in mathematics, it provides immediate and intuitive feedback about each student’s readiness to learn key mathematical skills and concepts.
AISNSW numeracy screening tools – Independent Schools NSW has developed two numeracy screening tools to assist teachers to monitor students’ progress in the foundational skills of Number across Kindergarten to Year 6.
The Early Numeracy Screening Tool (K-2) – has been designed to monitor students’ acquisition of skills in the sub-strands of Whole Numbers and Addition and Subtraction. The Early Numeracy Screening Tool (K-2) should take less than ten minutes per student to conduct. This is administered 1:1 and is best administered by the classroom teacher in a quiet space.
The Years 3-6 Numeracy Screening Tool – monitors student progress across the strand of Number and Algebra. A timed video is presented to the whole class at the same time. Answer sheets are provided to record student responses.
Progressive Achievement Tests in Mathematics – PAT assessments measure what students in Foundation to Year 10 know, understand and are capable of across domains, and help monitor progress over time.
ACER’s Pattern and structure assessment (PASA) – an assessment program for early mathematics (F–2). It provides teachers with diagnostic information about how children think about mathematical ideas to inform teaching. Administration takes 15–20 minutes (individual).