Understanding NAPLAN Results 2026 | Proficiency Standards Explained

Welcome back to NAPLAN Ready: A Parent's Guide. With NAPLAN just over two weeks away, it's important to understand how your child's performance will be reported and what the results mean for their learning journey.

How NAPLAN Results Are Reported

NAPLAN results are reported against proficiency standards. There is a standard for each assessment area (writing, reading, conventions of language, and numeracy) at each year level.

Unlike traditional percentage scores or grades, NAPLAN uses proficiency levels to show how well students are performing against national expectations.

The Four Levels of Proficiency

Student achievement is shown against 4 levels of proficiency:

• Exceeding: Demonstrating proficiency well above the expected level for their year group.
• Strong: Demonstrating proficiency at the expected level for their year group.
• Developing: Demonstrating developing proficiency, working towards the expected level.
• Needs Additional Support: Not yet demonstrating the expected proficiency for their year group.

What Do These Standards Mean?

These proficiency standards are set at a challenging but reasonable level expected of students at the time of testing. They're based mainly on what has been taught in previous years of schooling.

Important to note: A "Developing" result doesn't mean your child is failing—it means they're making progress but haven't yet reached the expected standard. Similarly, "Strong" means your child is right where they should be, while "Exceeding" indicates they're performing above expectations.

When Will You Receive Results?

Your child's school will provide a NAPLAN individual student report later in the year. The exact timing varies by state and territory, but reports are typically distributed in Term 3.

What to Do If You Don't Receive a Report

If you do not receive a report:

1. Contact your child's school first
2. For further assistance, contact your state or territory test administration authority

Please note: ACARA (the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority) cannot provide individual student reports directly.

How NAPLAN Results Are Used

NAPLAN results serve multiple purposes across the education system:

For Parents and Students

• Discuss progress with teachers
• Understand strengths and areas for development
• Track growth over time (comparing Year 3 to Year 5, Year 5 to Year 7, etc.)

For Teachers

• Identify students who need greater challenges or extra support
• Inform teaching strategies and classroom planning
• Complement their ongoing classroom assessments

For Schools

• Identify strengths and areas needing improvement in teaching programmes
• Set goals in literacy and numeracy
• Allocate resources effectively

For School Systems

• Review the effectiveness of programmes and support offered to schools
• Identify trends across regions or student groups
• Make informed policy decisions

For the Community

• See school performance information at myschool.edu.au
• Understand how schools are performing over time
• Make informed decisions about school choice

Important Context for Interpreting Results

NAPLAN is a Snapshot

NAPLAN provides a snapshot of your child's literacy and numeracy skills on the test days. Teachers will have the most comprehensive insight into your child's educational progress through their ongoing classroom assessments.

Use Results Alongside Other Information

Use NAPLAN reports alongside other school assessment reports when discussing your child's learning with their teacher. NAPLAN is just one piece of the puzzle.

What NAPLAN Doesn't Measure

NAPLAN results do not:

• Measure overall school quality
• Replace the extensive, ongoing assessments teachers make about each student's performance
• Assess all aspects of the curriculum (only literacy and numeracy)
• Reflect a student's creativity, critical thinking, or collaborative skills

Preparing for Results Day

When you receive your child's NAPLAN report:

1. Review it calmly – Remember this is just one measure of learning
2. Look for patterns – Are there consistent strengths or areas for development?
3. Schedule a conversation – Talk with your child's teacher about what the results mean
4. Focus forward – Use the information to support your child's ongoing learning

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