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NAPLAN 2026 Results Explained: What Parents Need to Know
NAPLAN 2026 national results showed numeracy gains in Years 5, 7 and 9 but a drop in Year 3 numeracy and reading. What it means and what families can do.
Read the guideKey points
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) released the 2026 NAPLAN national results on 5 August 2026 [1].
Numeracy improved on average in Years 5, 7 and 9, with about 29,000 more students at "Exceeding" than in 2023 [1][2].
Year 3 numeracy was the lowest since 2023, and average reading scores in Years 5, 7 and 9 were lower than in 2025 [2][3].
About two in three students were at "Strong" or "Exceeding", and about one in ten needed additional support [1].
What is NAPLAN?
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a national test taken by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It covers reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy [5]. About 1.2 million students sat the tests in March 2026 [4].
Since 2023, results have been reported against four proficiency levels: Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs additional support [1][5]. The standards are set at a "challenging but reasonable" level for what a child is expected to know at the time of testing [5]. For a detailed walkthrough, see how to read your child's NAPLAN report (noooli.com/learn/how-to-read-your-childs-naplan-report).
What did the 2026 numeracy results show?
Nationally, 67.0 per cent of students were at Strong or Exceeding in numeracy, up from 66.8 per cent in 2025 [1]. ACARA CEO Stephen Gniel highlighted "the continued improvement in national numeracy", with around 29,000 more students at Exceeding than in 2023 [1].
The results by year level were [1]:
Year level — Strong or Exceeding — Needs additional support
Year 3 — 62.1% — 11.0%
Year 5 — 70.7% — 7.6%
Year 7 — 69.9% — 9.0%
Year 9 — 65.3% — 11.0%
Why is Year 3 numeracy a concern?:
Year 3 did not follow the upward trend. Average Year 3 numeracy results were the lowest since 2023 [2][3]. Mr Gniel said, "The drop in Year 3 numeracy results is clearly concerning" [1].
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said the government is "fixing the maths curriculum for the first three years of school". Other announced measures include a Year 1 phonics and numeracy check and more small-group tutoring [3].
What did the 2026 reading results show?
Reading moved in the other direction. Nationally, 66.3 per cent of students were at Strong or Exceeding, down from 68.2 per cent in 2025 [1]. Average reading scores in Years 5, 7 and 9 were lower than in 2025 [2][3].
The share of students needing additional support in reading rose from 9.3 per cent in 2025 to 10.2 per cent in 2026 [1][2]. By year level, the proportion at Strong or Exceeding was 65.6 per cent in Year 3, 70.9 per cent in Year 5, 66.8 per cent in Year 7 and 62.0 per cent in Year 9 [1].
What about writing and other groups?
National writing results were stable compared with 2025. ACARA added a caveat because a technical disruption affected the first day of testing for Years 5, 7 and 9 [1].
Gaps between groups remain large. In numeracy, 32.4 per cent of Indigenous students needed additional support, compared with 7.8 per cent of non-Indigenous students. In very remote schools, 23.1 per cent of students were at Strong or Exceeding in numeracy, compared with 70.8 per cent in major cities [1].
State results for Tasmania were not reported, because participation in Tasmanian government schools fell below ACARA's data standards after industrial action [1].
What do the results mean for families?
National results describe trends across more than a million students. They do not tell you how your own child is going. ACARA stresses that NAPLAN is not a pass or fail test. Mr Gniel described it as "a point-in-time test that helps us understand students' strengths and areas for development" [1].
Still, the national picture has two messages for parents of primary children. First, the early years of maths deserve attention, given the Year 3 results. Second, reading needs continued support, even for children who read well in the early years.
What practical steps can parents take?
Read your child's report carefully:
Look at which proficiency level your child reached in each area and compare it with what the school reports about classwork. A single test day may not reflect everything your child can do.
Talk with the teacher:
ACARA encourages parents to discuss their child's overall progress with the school [1]. Useful questions include: what does the school see in class, which skills need work, and how can you help at home?
Build number foundations early:
For children in Kindergarten to Year 3, focus on counting, place value, and addition and subtraction facts. Short, regular practice helps these skills become automatic. Our guide to what the curriculum expects each year (noooli.com/learn/is-my-child-on-track) lists the key skills by year level.
Keep reading every day:
Reading together, talking about books and letting children choose what they read all help. For older primary children, ask questions about what they read to build understanding, not only speed.
Use maths in everyday life:
Cooking, shopping, telling the time and measuring all involve numbers. Asking a child to explain how they got an answer builds reasoning.
Keep the tone calm:
Children notice when adults are worried. Treat the result as information that helps you and the school decide what to do next.
How Noooli can help
Noooli offers short daily maths practice, about 10 minutes, for children from Kindergarten to Year 6, aligned to the Australian Curriculum. Parents can see their child's progress over time. You can also download free printable maths worksheets (noooli.com/worksheets/maths) with answer keys, with no sign-up needed.
References
1. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), "Latest NAPLAN data shows improvements in national numeracy levels alongside areas for continued attention", 5 August 2026. https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/media-releases/media-release-latest-naplan-data-shows-improvements-in-numeracy-levels-alongside-areas-for-continued-action-5-8-26.pdf
2. Newcastle Herald, "NAPLAN 2026 results: numeracy up, literacy down nationwide", August 2026. https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/9323518/naplan-2026-results-numeracy-up-literacy-down-nationwide/
3. The Educator K/12, "2026 NAPLAN results released", August 2026. https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/2026-naplan-results-released/289082
4. ABC News, "NAPLAN results 'national tragedy' as one-third of students fail to meet literacy and numeracy expectations", 5 August 2026. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-05/naplan-results-national-tragedy-literacy-numeracy-skill-gaps/106991058
5. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), "NAPLAN 2026: Information for parents and carers", 2026. https://nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/naplan-information-brochure-for-parents-and-carers.pdf
Common questions
What did the NAPLAN 2026 national results show?
Numeracy improved on average in Years 5, 7 and 9, while Year 3 numeracy was the lowest since 2023. Average reading scores in Years 5, 7 and 9 were lower than in 2025. Nationally, about two in three students were at Strong or Exceeding, and about one in ten needed additional support.
Is NAPLAN a pass or fail test?
No. ACARA describes NAPLAN as a point-in-time test that shows students' strengths and areas for development. It is one part of a school's assessment program. Results are reported in four proficiency levels: Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs additional support. Parents should discuss overall progress with the school.
My child is in the Developing category. What should I do?
Start by talking with your child's teacher to understand what the result means alongside classwork. Then focus on a few specific skills with short, regular practice at home, such as number facts or reading aloud. One test result is a guide, not a label, so keep the conversation calm and encouraging.
