 Australia has an adult literacy rate that was estimated to be 99 % in 2003 . However , a 2011 – 12 report for the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that Tasmania has a literacy and numeracy rate of only 50 % . In the Programme for International Student Assessment , Australia regularly scores among the top five of thirty major developed countries ( member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co @-@ operation and Development ) . Catholic education accounts for the largest non @-@ government sector . 
