Across Australia, literacy instruction continues to evolve as schools refine their approaches and teachers work to align practice with the most reliable research. Although curriculum expectations and assessment requirements have shifted, one message has remained consistent. Children learn to read most effectively when they receive explicit, structured and carefully sequenced instruction that builds on what they already know.

This understanding, grounded in what is widely known as the science of reading, continues to shape how teachers support students from the early years through upper primary. At the centre of this research sits systematic phonics, a proven approach that teaches children how sounds and letters connect, allowing them to decode words accurately. Phonics remains a dependable foundation for literacy success in 2025 because students rely on strong decoding skills long after their first years of schooling.

TL;DR

  • The science of reading continues to guide evidence-based early reading instruction in Australian schools. 
  • Systematic phonics remains one of the most reliable ways to build decoding skills. 
  • Decoding supports fluency, and fluency enables deeper comprehension. 
  • Reports from NAPLAN, NSW Education’s phonics screening check, and the Grattan Institute highlight the need for explicit instruction. 
  • LiteracyPlanet’s Phonics and Reading strands support evidence-based, clear and engaging literacy learning pathways.

What the Science of Reading Actually Means

An evidence-based foundation

The science of reading is not a single model or program. It represents decades of research across cognitive science, linguistics, psychology and education, all pointing toward the same conclusion: reading is not a natural process. Children must be taught how written code works, and this is best achieved through explicit, structured instruction.

According to evidence published by the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO), students who master foundational decoding skills early are more likely to become fluent readers who read with confidence and understanding across all subjects. 

The five essential components

Evidence highlights five key components that work together to support reading success:

  • Phonemic awareness – recognising and manipulating the individual sounds in words. 
  • Phonics – connecting sounds (phonemes) to letters (graphemes) in predictable patterns. 
  • Fluency – reading with accuracy, speed and expression. 
  • Vocabulary – knowing the meaning of words and how they fit into sentences. 
  • Comprehension – constructing meaning from text.

Phonics is the link between spoken and written language. Using structured phonics activities helps to build decoding skills, allowing students to shift their attention to understanding meaning, which is the ultimate goal of reading.

Why Australian schools are turning to reading science

States are placing greater emphasis on phonics checks and early literacy screening to identify gaps before they widen. National assessments, outlined in the official NAPLAN information for parents and schools, highlight the importance of strong foundational skills. These developments show a shared commitment to evidence-based practice that supports students at every stage of their learning.

Why Reading Science Still Shapes Classrooms in 2025

Teachers rely on reading science because it provides clarity and structure. In any classroom, students arrive with different levels of background knowledge and reading confidence. Explicit and systematic instruction supports this diversity by giving every learner a clear, predictable pathway.

Predictability supports learning

Predictable routines help students see how new skills connect to previous lessons. This consistency is strengthened by explicit teaching routines that help students understand exactly what is expected in each lesson. Teachers also benefit from predictable instruction because it makes planning more efficient and helps them respond quickly when students need additional support.

Clearing up common misconceptions

Some beliefs about reading persist despite strong evidence.

  • “Phonics is only needed in the early years.”
     Older students continue to rely on decoding when they encounter complex vocabulary across all learning areas. 
  • “Phonics does not support comprehension.”
     Fluent decoding frees cognitive energy for understanding text, which strengthens comprehension. 
  • “Children learn to read naturally.”
     Research from Evidence for Learning shows that most learners require explicit instruction to understand sound-and-letter relationships.

What the Latest Phonics Research Shows

Across Australian jurisdictions, systematic phonics is endorsed by key educational bodies. A growing number of reviews, reports and policy updates point toward the same conclusion: explicit foundational skills instruction leads to stronger reading outcomes.

Current evidence and insights

These findings reflect the value of high-impact teaching practices that support strong reading outcomes.

What “systematic” looks like in practice

Systematic phonics instruction introduces skills in a planned sequence. Lessons progress from simple patterns to more complex ones, often supported by decodable texts for early readers that reinforce accuracy and confidence. 

Students learn new knowledge while reviewing earlier concepts, which helps maintain accuracy and confidence. For example, a Year 1 class might begin each morning with a quick review of previously taught sounds. Students practise blending these sounds into simple words before moving into a new phonics pattern for the day, which helps every learner feel prepared and ready to participate.

Why Phonics Still Matters Beyond the Early Years

Phonics remains important throughout primary school. Students in Years 3 to 6 encounter multisyllabic words in subjects such as science, history and mathematics. Strong decoding helps them read these words accurately and independently. Students learning English as an additional language, and those who need extra practice, benefit from the clarity and reassurance that structured phonics provides.

Automatic decoding is also closely linked to reading fluency development, because students who read words effortlessly can concentrate on comprehension. When students no longer need to work out individual words, they can focus more fully on comprehension, analysis and interpretation.

What Teachers Need Now

Australian teachers value evidence-based practice, but they also face real-world challenges: limited planning time, diverse classrooms and students who progress at different paces. Teachers need tools aligned with reading science that support differentiated literacy instruction without adding unnecessary complexity.

Five essentials of classroom-ready phonics

Used sparingly here to reinforce clarity:

  1. Daily review that refreshes prior learning and strengthens memory. 
  2. A clear, sequential scope and sequence so students do not miss essential steps. 
  3. Decodable texts that match taught patterns, allowing students to apply their skills immediately. 
  4. Immediate, supportive correction that reinforces accuracy without discouraging learners. 
  5. Small-group practice informed by ongoing assessment and real-time observation. 

These practices build consistency across classrooms and support long-term literacy progress.

How LiteracyPlanet Supports Evidence-Based Reading Instruction

A structured, engaging phonics pathway

LiteracyPlanet’s Phonics Strand provides a carefully sequenced progression of decoding skills aligned with systematic phonics principles. Activities are intentionally designed to be engaging but focused, helping students master patterns through purposeful practice. Teachers will often reinforce this work with spelling activities that reinforce phonics patterns.

Beyond phonics: developing confident, thoughtful readers

The Reading Strand builds on these foundations by strengthening comprehension, vocabulary and reading stamina taught in the Australian Curriculum. Students learn to apply decoding skills within meaningful texts, supported by reading comprehension strategies that improve understanding. The balance of guided tasks and independent practice helps students build confidence and ownership over their reading growth.

Designed for real classroom needs

Teachers use LiteracyPlanet for warm-ups, rotations, independent practice and intervention. These tools help create consistent opportunities for students to consolidate their learning through reading games that help students apply their decoding skills.

What’s Next for Reading Instruction in Australia

Australia is moving toward stronger alignment in early reading expectations. Structured literacy frameworks, phonics checks and foundational skills benchmarks are becoming more common. As these shifts continue, teachers will rely on clear, evidence-aligned tools that support students and reduce workload. Systematic phonics will remain central to this effort because it provides the strongest foundation for future reading success.

Bringing Clarity to Reading Science

Even as teaching tools evolve and classrooms become more digitally enabled, the essential pathway to strong reading remains the same:

  • Systematic phonics builds decoding.
  • Decoding builds fluency.
  • Fluency strengthens comprehension.

When teachers have structured pathways and dependable tools, reading instruction becomes more effective and manageable. Teachers and families who want to explore these structured learning pathways can learn how to get started with a free trial at LiteracyPlanet.

FAQs

What is the science of reading?

The science of reading is a body of research that explains how children learn to read. It brings together evidence from multiple fields and highlights the importance of explicit, structured instruction. This research helps teachers understand which practices are most effective and which approaches support long-term literacy development.

Why is phonics still important in 2025?

Phonics remains important because decoding supports every other aspect of reading. Students who decode accurately can focus on understanding meaning rather than working out individual words. This makes reading more efficient and more enjoyable for learners at every stage of primary school.

What is systematic phonics?

Systematic phonics teaches sound and letter relationships in a planned, cumulative sequence. Each lesson builds on previous knowledge, so students experience fewer gaps and greater confidence. This structured approach helps teachers deliver instruction that is consistent and effective.

Does phonics only help beginners?

Phonics supports readers well beyond the early years. Older students continue to rely on decoding when encountering long or unfamiliar vocabulary in subjects such as science and humanities. Strong decoding gives learners the confidence to attempt challenging words independently.

How does phonics support comprehension?

Phonics supports comprehension by reducing the amount of mental effort required to identify words. When decoding becomes automatic, students can direct more attention to understanding the text’s meaning. This shift is crucial for deeper reading skills such as inference and analysis.

How does LiteracyPlanet support the science of reading?

LiteracyPlanet supports reading science by providing structured pathways that reflect systematic phonics principles. The Phonics Strand builds decoding skills, and the Reading Strand strengthens vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. These tools help teachers deliver evidence-based instruction with clarity and confidence.