Summary.In a preliminary study, the four core tests of the British Ability Scales were administered to a sample of 208 Australian schoolchildren aged 9.6 to 10.5 years. In general the results obtained were comparable with the UK standardisation group although there was a tendency towards higher scores by the Australian sample. Analysis of the scale characteristics of the items were carried out using the Rasch method and a normal ogive model (NOHARM). The Rasch scaling appears to be robust with this population. The NOHARM analysis produced strikingly similar results. Sample estimates of reliability and validity were obtained and were found to be acceptable.