Australia
Last updated August 4, 2026
Composite GEFRI Score
Access & Parity and Human Capital are the strongest areas
Australia shows advanced readiness to meet the challenges and opportunities of education in a rapidly changing world (95th percentile worldwide). Most dimensions perform above global norms, and the system has clear capacity to scale future-oriented initiatives.
- Global percentile
- 95th
- Global rank
- #9
- Regional rank
- #3
- Viewing data for
Country profile
Australia ranks among the stronger performers in GEFRI, but still falls short of the target-readiness threshold. Its strongest results are in Human Capital (90, 97th percentile), Governance (89, 95th percentile) and GEFRI Composite (88, 95th percentile). All reported dimension scores sit above global norms.
Dimension scores cluster tightly, showing the system operates with balanced readiness. High internet adoption enables broad participation in digital learning and innovation. Strong tertiary enrollment expands future talent pipelines and strengthens national innovation potential.
A large research workforce accelerates experimentation, technology adoption, and applied innovation. Policy and regulatory teams coordinate effectively, keeping reforms aligned and providing the stability needed for long-term educational planning. Gender parity leans toward boys in secondary pathways, signalling persistent barriers for girls.
Regionally, Australia leads most clearly in Governance, sitting well above the peer average.
Some indicators are imputed, so the profile should be read with moderate caution.
Key insights
Ranks in the 95th percentile worldwide, placing the system among high performers.
Places 9th worldwide.
Holds a regional position of 3rd within East Asia & Pacific.
Scores range from Access & Parity (95.6) to Innovation (75.3), reflecting variation across dimensions.
Leads regional peers most clearly in Governance.
Regional peers: East Asia & Pacific
Composite GEFRI Score
| Global rank | Regional rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 1 | Singapore | 87.75 |
| 8 | 2 | Korea, Rep. | 87.61 |
| 9 | 3 | Australia | 87.58 |
| 12 | 4 | Japan | 86.42 |
| 14 | 5 | New Zealand | 86.25 |
| 16 | 6 | Hong Kong SAR, China | 85.13 |
| — | — | PalauMicrostate | 73.62 |
| — | — | NauruMicrostate | 72.35 |
| 51 | 7 | Thailand | 71.65 |
| 52 | 8 | Brunei Darussalam | 71.24 |
| — | — | GuamMicrostate | 70.43 |
| 56 | 9 | China | 70.26 |
| — | — | New CaledoniaMicrostate | 69.53 |
| — | — | American SamoaMicrostate | 69.29 |
| 59 | 10 | Malaysia | 69.27 |
| — | — | Northern Mariana IslandsMicrostate | 69.27 |
| 65 | 11 | Macao SAR, China | 68.91 |
| 66 | 12 | Fiji | 68.84 |
| 70 | 13 | Mongolia | 68.44 |
| — | — | French PolynesiaMicrostate | 67.53 |
| 74 | 14 | Indonesia | 67.24 |
| 75 | 15 | Viet Nam | 67.00 |
| — | — | TongaMicrostate | 62.06 |
| — | — | SamoaMicrostate | 61.69 |
| 91 | 16 | Philippines | 60.80 |
| — | — | TuvaluFCSMicrostate | 59.38 |
| — | — | Marshall IslandsFCSMicrostate | 56.13 |
| 109 | 17 | Vanuatu | 54.76 |
| — | — | KiribatiFCSMicrostate | 49.99 |
| 118 | 18 | Timor-LesteFCS | 47.72 |
| — | — | Micronesia, Fed. Sts.FCSMicrostate | 47.06 |
| 124 | 19 | Cambodia | 44.53 |
| 125 | 20 | Korea, Dem. People's Rep. | 44.29 |
| 135 | 21 | Solomon IslandsFCS | 40.40 |
| 142 | 22 | MyanmarFCS | 37.14 |
| 143 | 23 | Lao PDR | 36.90 |
| 156 | 24 | Papua New GuineaFCS | 31.85 |