Australian Study of Adult Skills
About the Study | Participating in the Study | Privacy and Confidentiality | Questions and Support | Participation Reward Information
ABOUT THE STUDY
What is the Australian Study of Adult Skills?
The Australian Study of Adult Skills (ASAS) is part of an international, multi-year program. ASAS has been designed to learn about activities adults undertake in their daily lives such as reading, finding information and using computers, as well as their education and work experience. The results will be used to highlight areas that we need to build on as a nation, to ensure Australia can meet current, emerging, and future workforce, skills, and training needs.
How was I chosen?
Your address was randomly chosen from a publicly available list of all Australian residences, known as The Geocoded National Address File (G-NAF).
Why should I participate?
We cannot substitute your household for another. We want as many people to participate as possible, so that we can get the best representation of all Australian residents. By participating, you will earn a $10 e-gift voucher after completing a 10-minute survey over the phone with our helpdesk. A randomly chosen member of your household, will then be invited to participate fully in the study at a time of your choosing and earn an additional $75 e-gift voucher.
Who in the household should participate?
Any resident of your household, aged 18+, can complete the short 10-minute survey. A member of the household will then be randomly chosen to participate fully in the study, full participants must be aged 15-74.
What topics are covered?
The short survey identifies information about each member of the household, including details such as a first name, age, gender and highest level of education achieved. This can be completed at home with one of our interviewers in person; however, to earn the $10 e-gift voucher, this must be completed over the phone with our helpdesk team.
The full study consists of background questions such as the use of demographics, technology, education and employment experiences. Then, moves on to problem-solving tasks, that will be presented using real-life situations that adults typically encounter at work and in their personal lives e.g. reading a train timetable, navigating a website or paying a utility bill. This must be completed in-person, using one of our interviewer’s handheld devices.
Do I have to participate?
Participation in the study is voluntary, but your participation is important so that we obtain information from a cross-section of the population. The more people who contribute to the study, the more useful the information will be.
Where can I find results from previous editions of this study?
Australia previously participated in this study in 2011/12. For results from that cycle, please visit www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/education/programme-international-assessment-adult-competencies-australia/latest-release.
Which other countries are involved?
1.16 million adults from 31 countries have participated so far, since 2023. A further 10 countries are participating, from now until 2028. For more information about the study internationally, please visit www.oecd.org/en/about/programmes/piaac.
PARTICIPATING IN THE STUDY
How do I Participate?
Please call our helpdesk on 1800 206 686, to complete a short survey over the phone, and earn a $10 e-gift voucher. Alternatively, you can arrange a visit from one of our interviewers through our helpdesk, you will not be eligible for the $10 voucher if this is completed in-person. Full participation in the study requires one of our interviewers to be present, this can be arranged for completion in the comfort of your own home at a time of your choosing. If you do not wish to complete at home, an appointment can be arranged at an alternative venue (e.g. a public library).
Please note, our helpdesk team operate Monday through Sunday, between the hours of 10:00 and 18:00 AEDT (excluding Victorian public holidays). You are able to leave a voicemail, should you not be able to make contact. Alternatively, please email [email protected] and the helpdesk team will be in contact.
How long will it take?
Full participation in the study will likely take 1.5 - 2 hours.
What happens to the information I provide?
The information you provide will be used for statistical purposes only. The information you provide will be combined with that of other participants in the Study, based on shared characteristics. The results are used to shape policies domestically and internationally, using comparable evidence. By linking adults’ skill levels with their education pathways, work histories, job characteristics and social outcomes, the survey helps policymakers identify where skills gaps exist, who is most affected, and where policies can make the biggest difference.
PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
How is my privacy protected?
The information you provide is protected by Australian law. This research complies with the Privacy Act 1988 and the information is only used for research purposes.
A Privacy Impact Assessment has been completed for this study to manage, minimise and eliminate any potential privacy impacts.
Can I be identified as a respondent?
Your answers are put together with the answers from other participants, Ipsos and JSA will not publish any identifying information about you.
To find out more about the Ipsos Privacy Policy, click here
QUESTIONS AND SUPPORT
If you have questions, need help, or do not wish to take part, please contact Ipsos via email at [email protected] or call the survey helpline on 1800 206 686.
PARTICIPATION REWARD INFORMATION
To redeem either of the e-gift vouchers, you must provide a valid email address or full postal details. We will deliver the email vouchers to you within 10 working days after your case is logged as complete in our system; postal vouchers will be lodged with Australia Post within 10 working days after your case is logged as complete in our system.
