NAPLAN – participation

Literacy and numeracy are critical elements of learning and it is important to understand how each student is progressing in establishing these foundations. The NAPLAN tests provide valuable information to all schools about the performance of their students, and support schools to focus teaching on areas of need. The tests also help parents see how their child is progressing against national standards.

See For parents and carers and For schools, along with the NAPLAN national protocols for test administration. Your school principal and your state/territory test administration authority can provide you with more information on adjustments for students with disability or the process required to gain a formal exemption.

Withdrawals are intended to address issues such as religious beliefs and philosophical objections to testing. Participation by all students is expected; however, in certain circumstances parents/carers may withdraw their child from the testing program. Ultimately, this is a decision for parents/carers but is best done in collaboration with the school. Principals must obtain signed parent/carer consent for all withdrawn students prior to the start of testing. Principals can expect information from their test administration authority on the preferred method for collecting and recording this information. Read more at Student participation.

Students who are in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to participate. A decision to withdraw a student from the NAPLAN tests is the responsibility of the student’s parent/carer, and not the school. We recommend that you discuss your concerns with your child’s teacher or school principal in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with your school’s response, you can contact the test administration authority in your state or territory. Test administration authorities are responsible for the administration of the NAPLAN tests, including withdrawals.

Parents/carers are encouraged to visit Adjustments for students with disability to determine if the adjustments schools can apply for are appropriate for their child’s participation in NAPLAN.

Students who are sick cannot complete NAPLAN at home. Students who are absent on the day of testing may be able to complete catch-up tests if they return to school within the school’s planned test schedule. If a student is unable to attend school, they will be counted as absent and will not receive NAPLAN results for any tests they are absent for.

There are comprehensive NAPLAN test administration and security procedures that need to be followed for NAPLAN assessments, and the tests are overseen by teachers to ensure results are comparable.

Students are not allowed to complete tests earlier than the rest of the students in their year level at their school. Schools need to follow the NAPLAN national protocols for test administration.

Students are expected to undertake the tests at the school in which they are enrolled. If a student is away from their regular location (e.g. visiting interstate), it may be possible for the student to be given an opportunity to take the NAPLAN tests in a scheduled test session at a school in the student’s temporary location. Principals are not required to offer a separate or catch-up session for these students. Principals should contact their relevant test administration authority for further information.

Yes, options are available for home-schooled and distance-educated students. Each state/territory test administration authority will determine the appropriate arrangements for testing students who are registered as undertaking non-school-based education.

Schools with students registered in non-school-based locations who are unable to attend a centralised testing location or local school to complete NAPLAN should contact their test administration authority.

No, NAPLAN tests can only be sat within Australia.

See the Ramadan and NAPLAN page.

While some schools may ask for NAPLAN reports in addition to school reports as part of their admissions process, NAPLAN assessments are not designed to be a school admission test.