The Victorian Government’s new Year 1 Phonics Check is being widely adopted, with 94 per cent of government schools choosing to use the assessment tool ahead of its mandatory rollout in 2026.
Designed to replace the English Online Interview, the phonics check helps teachers assess students’ understanding of how letters and sounds work together – a foundational skill for learning to read.
Teachers say it’s both quicker and easier to use, with the average assessment taking 6.5 minutes per student — 35 per cent faster than initially expected, and a dramatic improvement on the 40 minutes required for the previous test, slashing assessment times by 84 per cent.
According to Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Mr Ben Carroll, the tool is already proving its value in classrooms.
“The new check is saving our hardworking teachers time, while giving them clear insights into their students’ reading skills so they can provide targeted support to those who need it most,” Mr Carroll said.
Since being introduced as an optional assessment in Term Three, the phonics check has already been used to assess nine in 10 Year 1 students. Nearly 60 per cent of students achieved the expected level of phonics knowledge – two years ahead of the full rollout of phonics instruction across Victorian schools in 2027.
Teachers are also receiving strong support to embed phonics teaching. The Department has provided 450 lesson plans and hundreds of classroom resources, with Phonics Plus materials downloaded more than 50,000 times since February. Schools also shared in $5 million to purchase additional literacy resources such as mini-whiteboards and decodable texts.
Lyndale Greens Primary School learning specialist Ms Danielle Watt said the new assessment provides a clearer picture of student progress.
“The Year 1 Phonics Check is targeted and specific, assessing exactly what it says it does – the ability to decode real and nonsense words,” Ms Watt said.
“Overall, it represents a significant improvement, providing a practical, evidence-based screening tool that supports early reading success.”
The strong uptake of the phonics check adds to a positive trend in Victorian education outcomes. This year’s NAPLAN results saw Victorian students rank first or second in 18 of 20 measures, a marked improvement on 2024 results.
“Labor knows strong literacy skills set students up for the future,” Mr Carroll said. “That’s why we’re delivering phonics and reading checks to help them unlock their full potential – and to give teachers the support they deserve.”
