February 2026

Get ready for NAPLAN: 11–23 March 2026

The 2026 NAPLAN test window will run from 11 to 23 March, with schools scheduling tests within this period in ways that support students to do their best, including their wellbeing. 

NAPLAN provides a snapshot of how students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are progressing in literacy and numeracy over time. Although testing takes place early in the school year, it reflects learning that has developed across years of schooling, not just what has been taught in the first few weeks of Term 1. 

NAPLAN tests are aligned with the Australian Curriculum and are based on the reading, writing and mathematics skills students develop through everyday classroom learning. 

Find out more about NAPLAN 2026 and watch this explainer.

NAPLAN as a snapshot of learning

NAPLAN is one source of information that can support conversations about student progress, alongside the many classroom-based assessments teachers use every day. It is not designed to be a measure of teacher or school performance, nor an indicator of individual impact in isolation. 

Students are asked to do their best on the day, with results contributing to a broader understanding of student learning, growth and development over time and across the nation. 

Find out more about how to support children during NAPLAN.

Why NAPLAN assessments are done online

NAPLAN is delivered online to provide a clearer, fairer and more engaging assessment experience for students. 

The online format allows for a range of question types, including interactive tasks, and supports accessibility features where needed. It also enables tailored testing, which helps provide more precise information about student achievement. 

Learn more about NAPLAN online testing.

How tailored testing works

NAPLAN uses the process of tailored testing, where the questions a student receives changes based on their responses during the test. 

For example, if a student answers a question correctly, they may be given a slightly more challenging question next. If a question is more difficult, the next question may be easier. This means students are not all answering the same questions, and the test responds to each student as they progress, giving a clearer picture of what they know and can do. 

Find out more about NAPLAN tailored testing on the NAP website or watch our video.

Explore the NAPLAN demonstration site

The NAPLAN demonstration site allows students to explore the types of questions they may see and practise using the online tools in a supportive environment. 

Spending time with the demonstration site can help students feel more familiar with the testing format and reduce uncertainty ahead of the assessment. 

Access the NAPLAN demonstration site. 

Supporting student wellbeing and participation

Schools plan NAPLAN testing carefully, with student wellbeing considered throughout the testing process.

Schools support participation in ways that reflect students’ individual needs, including: 

• Planning test schedules within the test window to support student readiness and wellbeing. 

• Supporting students observing Ramadan, which in 2026 is expected to run from 18 February to 20 March, overlapping with the NAPLAN test window. Schools work closely with families to plan appropriate arrangements, such as scheduling tests earlier in the day where needed.

• Providing adjustments for students with disability to support participation in a way that meets their individual needs. Decisions about adjustments are made locally by schools in consultation with students and their parents or carers, recognising that schools know their students best. 

Find out more about supporting students observing Ramadan during NAPLAN and about NAPLAN adjustments for students with disability.

Community-led consultations on First Nations education

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC) is hosting upcoming community-led consultations for the development of a new National First Nations Education Policy. 

The policy is being co-developed by NATSIEC and the Australian Government Department of Education, and will help shape national directions for First Nations learners across the full education journey. 

Consultations will include a series of in-person workshops across multiple states and territories, as well as a national online survey. Participation is open only to First Nations people, reflecting the principle of Nothing about us, without us. 

Peak First Nations education bodies in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia will lead consultations directly with their communities. 

Find out more about workshop dates, locations and registration details.