📝 How NAPLAN Works in Australia

The full picture for parents

Who Sits NAPLAN?

All Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit NAPLAN every year. The test is held in March at all government, Catholic and independent schools across every state and territory.

📋 Participation in NAPLAN is expected but not compulsory. Parents can withdraw their child by notifying the school in writing before the test window.

What NAPLAN Measures

📚 Reading — understanding different types of texts: stories, poems, information texts and everyday documents
🔤 Language Conventions — spelling, grammar and punctuation
🔢 Numeracy — number, measurement, geometry, data and problem solving
✍️ Writing — narrative or persuasive writing with correct structure and language

How Results Are Used

NAPLAN results are used by schools to identify students who may need additional support or extension. Results are sent to parents in a written report, typically in June–July after the March test.

💡 NAPLAN results are one data point — not the whole picture. Teachers use many other assessments alongside NAPLAN to understand each student’s learning.