If your child is in Year 3, NAPLAN is probably on the horizon. It can sound like a big deal, but it’s a short set of national tests that most children take in their stride. Here is NAPLAN explained for parents in every state: who sits it, what it tests, the 2027 dates, what the four proficiency levels on the report mean, and why there’s no need for extra study.
What is NAPLAN?
NAPLAN stands for the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) describes it as “an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9”. It is the same across Australia, so a Year 3 child in Darwin sits the same tests as a Year 3 child in Hobart.
NAPLAN looks at four areas:
- Reading
- Writing
- Conventions of language: spelling, grammar and punctuation
- Numeracy
It isn’t a pass or fail test: results are reported in four proficiency levels, explained below. It’s one snapshot of how your child is going in literacy and numeracy at that point in the year, alongside everything their teacher already knows.
When is NAPLAN in 2027?
Since 2023, NAPLAN has been held in March. ACARA explains: “From 2023, education ministers agreed NAPLAN will be held in March.” From 2008 to 2022 it was held in May.
| Year | Test window |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 to 23 March 2026 (finished) |
| 2027 | 10 to 22 March 2027, with Year 3 writing on Wednesday 10 March |
| 2028 | 15 to 27 March 2028 |
Last checked 17 October 2026. The window is the same in every state and territory. Your child’s school sets the exact day for each test inside the window, so watch the school newsletter.
Is NAPLAN on a computer?
Mostly, yes. The tests are completed online, with one exception. ACARA says: “All Year 3 students will continue to complete the writing assessment on paper.” The Year 3 writing test is held on day 1 of the window and takes 40 minutes, with catch-up sessions until the end of day 4 for children who are away.
If your Year 3 child hasn’t done much typing yet, that’s fine for writing, because they’ll use a pencil. For the other tests, a little everyday practice with a mouse or touchscreen is all they need. ACARA’s public demonstration site lets children see the question types before the day, so the screens don’t come as a surprise.
What do the NAPLAN proficiency levels mean?
NAPLAN results are reported in four proficiency levels for each area. People still search for “NAPLAN bands”, but today’s reports use these four levels. Here is what ACARA says each one means:
| Level | What it means, in ACARA’s words |
|---|---|
| Exceeding | “the student’s result exceeds expectations at the time of testing.” |
| Strong | “the student’s result meets challenging but reasonable expectations at the time of testing.” |
| Developing | “the student’s result indicates that they are working towards expectations at the time of testing.” |
| Needs additional support | “the student’s result indicates that they are not achieving the learning outcomes that are expected at the time of testing. They are likely to need additional support to progress satisfactorily.” |
Notice the words “at the time of testing”. NAPLAN is held in March, early in the school year, so it shows where your child was then, not where they’ll be by the end of the year. A result of Developing in Year 3 means your child is on the way, and it’s worth a chat with the teacher about what helps.
When do NAPLAN results come out?
ACARA says: “A NAPLAN individual student report will be provided by your child’s school later in the year.” The report shows your child’s level in each area. When it arrives, read it alongside your child’s school report, which covers much more than one week of tests.
If anything on the report surprises you, ask the teacher. They can tell you how your child is going in class now, months after the tests, and what to focus on at home.
Does my child need to study for NAPLAN?
No. ACARA is clear about this: “Students are not expected to study for NAPLAN.” It goes further: “ACARA does not recommend excessive preparation for NAPLAN or the use of services by coaching providers.”
The skills NAPLAN looks at grow from ordinary, everyday learning. The best things you can do at home are the same things that help all year:
- Read every day. Your child reads to you, and you read to them. Chat about the story: who, what, why, and what might happen next.
- Write for real reasons. A birthday card, a shopping list, a note to a grandparent, a story about the weekend. Writing for someone makes it matter.
- Talk maths. Money at the shops, time before an outing, sharing food fairly, measuring in the kitchen. Our post on everyday maths talk has ideas.
- Have a quick look at the format. One visit to the public demonstration site, so the screens look familiar, is plenty.
- Keep test week ordinary. Usual bedtime, a good breakfast, and a calm “just do your best”.
NAPLAN and other tests
NAPLAN is national and the same for everyone. Other checks are run by states and territories, such as Victoria’s Year 1 Phonics Check in Term 3, and some families also prepare for selective school tests in Year 4, Year 6 or Year 8. Each one has its own purpose. If your family is thinking about a selective school, our guide to preparing for a selective school test, calmly explains what the departments themselves recommend. For all the 2027 dates in one place, see the Victorian school term dates for 2027.
Questions parents ask
What is NAPLAN?
NAPLAN is the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 across Australia. It covers reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
When is NAPLAN in 2027?
The 2027 test window is 10 to 22 March 2027, with the Year 3 writing test on Wednesday 10 March. Your child’s school sets the exact day for each test within the window.
What do the NAPLAN proficiency levels mean?
There are four: Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs additional support. Strong means the result “meets challenging but reasonable expectations at the time of testing”, and Developing means the student is “working towards expectations at the time of testing”.
Is NAPLAN online for Year 3?
Most NAPLAN tests are online, but all Year 3 students complete the writing test on paper. It is held on the first day of the test window and takes 40 minutes.
Does my child need to study for NAPLAN?
No. ACARA says students are not expected to study for NAPLAN, and it does not recommend excessive preparation or coaching. Everyday reading, writing and maths talk are the best support.
When do NAPLAN results come out?
Your child’s school gives you an individual student report later in the year. It shows your child’s proficiency level in each area tested.
Sources
- NAPLAN, Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA)
- NAPLAN key dates, ACARA
- NAPLAN test window, ACARA
- Proficiency level descriptions, ACARA
- NAPLAN for parents and carers, ACARA
