The NRS provides a uniform, national framework for reporting on the language, literacy and numeracy outcomes of students. It is intended by DEST that the NRS will become the recognised standard used by educators and industry for reporting on competencies in literacy and numeracy and that it will replace current tools.

DEST requires providers to maintain NRS records for each participant and to provide information to DEST on a periodic, or an as required, basis. Advice of NRS competency achieved is incorporated into the Post-Training Assessment reporting requirements.

How will DEST use this information?
The NRS will allow DEST to report on job seekers’ language, literacy and numeracy proficiency gains at an aggregated level. Use of the NRS will allow DEST to collect aggregated data to identify training gaps and inform future funding proposals. NRS data at the aggregated level will be used by DEST to:

• report on outcomes from the Literacy and Numeracy Training programme; and
• evaluate the cost effectiveness of the Literacy and Numeracy Training programme.

How should contracted providers use the NRS?
At the individual level, NRS data should be used to:

• identify individual levels of competencies in language, literacy and numeracy for the purpose of identifying further vocational training or educational needs; and
• tailor training programmes to suit individual needs.