South Australia strengthens early literacy with refreshed guarantee and national-first academy

South Australia has renewed its commitment to foundational learning by launching a refreshed Literacy Guarantee, with the goal of lifting lifelong literacy outcomes for children through coordinated support for educators, families and services from birth to secondary school.

 

Led by the Malinauskas Labor Government, the new Literacy Guarantee introduces a suite of initiatives designed to build on the state’s nationally recognised literacy reforms, including the widely emulated Year 1 Phonics Check.

 

The announcement was first reported by The National Tribune, detailing the South Australian Government’s renewed investment in early literacy through a refreshed Literacy Guarantee and the establishment of a Reading Academy.

 

Expanded strategy to support literacy across the learning journey

 

The refreshed approach will be supported by an expert advisory group and implemented in addition to the successful work of the Department for Education’s Literacy Guarantee Unit, a team that provides intensive, evidence-based literacy coaching for classroom teachers across South Australia’s public schools.

 

From early 2026, a new program of work will begin rolling out across the state. Key elements include:

 

• The launch of a Reading Academy to mentor early career teachers and equip them with the tools and confidence to teach reading effectively from the start of their careers
• Increased professional learning in literacy for teachers across all levels of schooling
• Upskilling of preschool educators using the department’s early years literacy guidelines
• Provision of free online literacy resources for families, available from birth, to help parents support their child’s development at home
• An expanded focus for literacy coaches, broadening their support across the full scope of reading instruction

 

The comprehensive strategy reflects a whole-of-community approach to literacy, positioning families, early learning professionals, and school-based educators as critical partners in supporting children’s development.

 

Building on proven success in phonics and practice

 

South Australia has been a national leader in phonics instruction and literacy measurement since the introduction of the Year 1 Phonics Check in 2017. The brief, one-on-one assessment evaluates students’ ability to decode and blend letters into sounds, an essential skill for reading success.

 

Results from the 2024 check revealed that 70 per cent of students achieved at or above the expected benchmark, with marked improvements seen among Aboriginal students, those in regional and remote locations, and children who speak English as an additional language or dialect.

 

According to South Australian Minister for Education Blair Boyer, the new Literacy Guarantee builds on these achievements to ensure every child has the best possible start.

 

“South Australia has led the way in literacy for this country,” Mr Boyer said.

 

“We introduced a Year 1 Phonics check years before any other state, and the improvements we saw were seen across multiple student groups. We are continuing to build on that work and ensure new teachers have the skills and resources they need as they enter the workforce.”

 

Elevating preschool literacy and family engagement

 

A key feature of the refreshed Literacy Guarantee is its expanded focus on early childhood education and care, with tailored initiatives to strengthen literacy teaching in preschool settings.

 

Preschool educators will receive additional training based on the department’s early years literacy guidelines, aligning with the broader strategy to embed high-quality literacy practice from the start of a child’s education journey.

 

Complementing this, families will be supported through free online tools and resources designed to foster literacy from birth. These accessible, evidence-based resources are expected to increase parental confidence and engagement in children’s early learning.

 

Principal insights reinforce value of targeted support

 

Amanda Walker, Principal of Kidman Park Primary School, welcomed the announcement, noting the transformation her school has experienced since partnering with the Department’s Literacy Guarantee Unit.

 

“Over time, Kidman Park has made a massive shift in our approach to literacy, which has seen significant improvements in our phonics screening results,” Ms Walker said.

 

“Reading is fundamental to every core skill, and improvements in this area give children confidence in what they can achieve.”

 

She also highlighted the importance of parent engagement: “Our families are also keen to be involved, so the development of parent resources will be a great help. They are eager to access tools that can help them, help their child.”

 

System-level change to benefit children across South Australia

 

This next stage of literacy reform is being scoped in partnership with a principal currently on assignment with the Department for Education. Initial implementation will focus on schools with high numbers of graduate teachers, with plans to expand the program more broadly in future years.

 

The initiative will complement the roll-out of the new English Curriculum, which places a stronger emphasis on instilling a love of reading and supporting students to read consistently throughout their schooling.

 

The Literacy Guarantee reaffirms South Australia’s leadership in evidence-informed practice and system-wide support, setting a national example of how government, educators and families can work together to give every child the strongest possible foundation for future learning.

 

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