Australia punches well below its weight in maths. Last year, one in three students fell short of the NAPLAN proficiency benchmark. In 2023, the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study found that just 13 per cent of Year 4 students in Australia excelled, compared to 22 per cent in England and 49 per cent in Singapore.

Poor maths performance is bad for businesses and can be catastrophic for individuals. Students who struggle with maths are more likely to disengage from school and be unemployed in adulthood. Three in four Australian employers say inadequate maths and literacy skills among their workers are a problem, causing challenges like financial miscalculations.