Complete ACARA Year 5 Maths Skills Checklist (2026)
A comprehensive guide to all Year 5 mathematics skills in the Australian Curriculum Version 9.0. Perfect for parents wanting to understand what their child should be learning and track their progress.
Year 5 is a pivotal year in primary mathematics education. Students build on foundational concepts and develop more sophisticated problem-solving skills. This checklist covers all the skills your child should master according to the Australian Curriculum (ACARA) Version 9.0.
The curriculum is organised into six strands: Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space, Statistics, and Probability. Each skill is identified by a unique code (e.g., AC9M5N01) that teachers use to track student progress.
Number
Number skills form the foundation of mathematical thinking. Year 5 students extend their understanding of place value, fractions, and decimals.
AC9M5N01: Place Value
Recognise, represent and order numbers to at least hundreds of thousands. Students learn to work with large numbers, understanding how each digit's position determines its value. They can read, write, and compare numbers like 456,789.
AC9M5N02: Number Patterns
Solve problems involving multiplication of larger numbers by one- or two-digit numbers, choosing efficient calculation strategies and using digital tools where appropriate. For example, calculating 47 × 23 using partitioning or the standard algorithm.
AC9M5N03: Division
Solve problems involving division, choosing efficient strategies and using digital tools where appropriate. Students learn to divide larger numbers, interpret remainders in context, and understand the relationship between multiplication and division.
AC9M5N04: Fractions and Decimals
Compare and order fractions with the same and related denominators, and represent improper fractions as mixed numbers. Students work with fractions like 3/4, 5/8, and convert between improper fractions (7/4) and mixed numbers (1 3/4).
AC9M5N05: Decimal Place Value
Recognise that 100% represents the whole, and use percentages to describe quantities. Connect fractions, decimals, and percentages as different representations of the same number. Understand that 1/2 = 0.5 = 50%.
AC9M5N06: Adding and Subtracting Fractions
Find a simple fraction of a quantity where the result is a whole number, with and without the use of digital tools. For example, finding 1/4 of 20 or 3/5 of 15.
AC9M5N07: Multiplying Fractions
Compare, order and represent decimals. Students work with decimals to two decimal places, understanding place value (tenths, hundredths) and comparing numbers like 3.45 and 3.54.
Algebra
Algebra introduces patterns, relationships, and mathematical thinking. Students begin to see the structure behind numbers and operations.
AC9M5A01: Number Sequences
Create and use algorithms involving a sequence of steps and decisions to represent and solve everyday problems. Students develop logical thinking by creating step-by-step instructions to solve problems.
AC9M5A02: Patterns and Relationships
Follow a mathematical algorithm involving branching and repetition (iteration). Students use flowcharts and systematic approaches to solve problems efficiently.
AC9M5A03: Equivalent Number Sentences
Use equivalent number sentences involving multiplication and division to find unknown quantities. For example, if 4 × ? = 36, then 36 ÷ 4 = ?.
Measurement
Measurement skills help students understand and quantify the world around them, from time and length to area and volume.
AC9M5M01: Units of Measurement
Choose appropriate metric units when measuring attributes of length, mass, and capacity. Students learn when to use millimetres, centimetres, metres, or kilometres; grams or kilograms; millilitres or litres.
AC9M5M02: Converting Units
Recognise that the same quantity can be represented by different combinations of metric units. Convert between units. For example, 1.5 metres = 150 centimetres = 1500 millimetres.
AC9M5M03: Perimeter and Area
Solve practical problems involving the perimeter and area of regular and irregular shapes using appropriate metric units. Students calculate the distance around shapes (perimeter) and the space they cover (area).
AC9M5M04: Volume and Capacity
Compare and interpret different data sets. Students estimate and measure volume using cubic centimetres and capacity using millilitres and litres.
AC9M5M05: Time
Estimate, measure and compare elapsed time, including months, weeks, days, hours, minutes, and seconds. Calculate time differences and convert between units of time.
Space (Geometry)
Spatial reasoning helps students understand shapes, positions, and transformations in two and three dimensions.
AC9M5SP01: Properties of Shapes
Recognise and describe the features of 3D objects, including vertices, edges, and faces. Students identify and classify shapes like cubes, rectangular prisms, pyramids, cylinders, cones, and spheres.
AC9M5SP02: Angles
Identify and describe combinations of transformations. Students work with slides (translations), flips (reflections), and turns (rotations) to understand how shapes can be moved and transformed.
AC9M5SP03: Location and Position
Describe and create transformations of 2D shapes and identify any symmetries. Students recognise lines of symmetry and create symmetric patterns.
AC9M5SP04: Mapping and Directions
Use combinations of transformations to create tessellating patterns. Students explore how shapes fit together without gaps to create repeating patterns.
Statistics
Statistics skills enable students to collect, organise, interpret, and present data to answer questions and solve problems.
AC9M5ST01: Data Collection
Plan and conduct statistical investigations by posing questions, collecting data, creating displays, and recording findings. Students design surveys and experiments to answer questions of interest.
AC9M5ST02: Data Representation
Construct suitable data displays from given or collected data, with and without the use of digital tools. Students create bar graphs, column graphs, line graphs, and picture graphs.
AC9M5ST03: Data Interpretation
Interpret data displays and use them to answer questions. Students analyse graphs and tables to identify patterns, trends, and draw conclusions from data.
Probability
Probability introduces students to chance, likelihood, and predicting outcomes in everyday situations.
AC9M5P01: Likelihood of Events
List the possible outcomes of chance experiments and identify those that are equally likely or unlikely. Students explore simple probability through games, dice, and spinners.
AC9M5P02: Comparing Probabilities
Recognise that probabilities range from 0 (impossible) to 1 (certain), and identify events where the probability can be calculated. Students use fractions and percentages to describe probability.
How to Use This Checklist
- ✓Track Progress: Use this checklist to understand what your child is learning each term and identify areas where they might need extra support.
- ✓Communication: When talking to teachers, reference specific skill codes (e.g., "How is my child progressing with AC9M5N04?") for more targeted discussions.
- ✓Home Support: Identify which skills you can help reinforce at home through games, everyday activities, and practice problems.
- ✓Set Goals: Work with your child to set achievable goals for mastering specific skills each month.
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