Information for schools
The NAPLAN test window is nine days.
For online NAPLAN 2026, day 1 of testing is Wednesday, 11 March and day 9 is Monday, 23 March.
Tests must be scheduled in the order shown and as soon as possible within the test window, prioritising scheduling in the morning over the afternoon. The sequence is:
Writing > Reading > Conventions of language > Numeracy
NAPLAN test window infographic.
Writing test sequencing:
- Year 3 classes must sit the writing test on day 1 of the test window, Wednesday 11 March 2026. It is recommended that Year 3 writing tests be completed by all classes at the same time in the morning. Individual Year 3 writing catch-ups are permitted until the end of the school day on Monday, 16 March 2026
- Years 5, 7 and 9 classes must sit the Writing test on day 1 of the test window, Wednesday, 11 March 2026, with Thursday, 12 March 2026 only used where there are technical/logistical limitations to testing all students on day 1. Events such as camps, excursions, school sport carnivals are not considered logistical limitations. Individual catch-ups for all tests other than Year 3 writing are permitted until the end of the school day on Monday, 23 March 2026
- in the event of unexpected situations that prevent the writing test from taking place as scheduled, principals or NAPLAN coordinators must contact the NAPLAN helpdesk on 9442 9442 or via email naplan@scsa.wa.edu.au.
2026 NAPLAN test timetable for online schools
Test | Scheduling requirements | Duration | Test description |
|---|---|---|---|
Writing | Year 3 students must do the writing test on paper on day 1 only. Years 5, 7 and 9 writing tests must start on day 1. Schools must prioritise completion of writing on day 1, with day 2 only used where there are technical or logistical limitations. | Year 3: 40 minutes Year 5: 42 minutes Year 7: 42 minutes Year 9: 42 minutes | Students are given an idea or topic called a writing prompt (or stimulus) and asked to write a response in a particular text type (narrative or persuasive writing). |
Reading | To be completed after the writing test. | Year 3: 45 minutes Year 5: 50 minutes Year 7: 65 minutes Year 9: 65 minutes | Students read a range of informative, imaginative and persuasive texts and then answer related questions. |
Conventions of language | To be completed after the reading test. | Year 3: 45 minutes Year 5: 45 minutes Year 7: 45 minutes Year 9: 45 minutes | Students are assessed on spelling, grammar and punctuation. |
Numeracy | To be completed after the conventions of language test. | Year 3: 45 minutes Year 5: 50 minutes Year 7: 65 minutes Year 9: 65 minutes | Students are assessed on number, algebra, measurement, space, statistics and probability. |
Test security period
The test security period is the period during which NAPLAN tests remain secure.
Tests must not be conducted prior to the published test dates under any circumstances.
For both online and alternative format (paper and special print) tests, the security and confidentiality of the test materials must be maintained from the time they are delivered to the school, generated or made accessible via the platform, to the end of the test security period. The test security period extends to three days after the official test window, to Thursday, 26 March 2026.
Test materials are all materials that must be kept secure throughout the test security period. These include any user login details, secure login cards, student session codes, test session codes and all versions of the tests, including alternative format (paper and special print) tests and stimulus material.
The Writing marking guides are provided here to assist schools to interpret students’ results. They are not intended to be used to mark students’ writing without thorough training on how to apply the rubric.
Note: these documents can also be found at https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/writing
In accordance with the National protocols for test administration – NAPLAN, published as Part A of the Handbook for principals and NAPLAN coordinators, it is essential that all students are familiar with the national assessment platform, the device they will be using when sitting NAPLAN, and the variety and functionality of item types used in all test domains of NAPLAN.
The ACARA NAPLAN public demonstration site (nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) is available for this purpose and allows staff, students, and parents and carers to view and interact with test items.
When preparing their class for the online tests, teachers should ensure that students are familiar with the assessments’ platform-specific functionalities.
Students need to know:
- how to select their answer for each item type, and how to change it to another answer if necessary
- how to find and manipulate the numeracy test tools
- how to operate the audio bar in the spelling, numeracy and writing tests
- what functions are available in the formatting bar in the writing test response pane and how to use them.
From 2026, the NAPLAN alternative format (paper) test window is changing.
The paper test order is now the same as the online NAPLAN test order:
Writing → Reading → Conventions of language → Numeracy
The paper test window has been extended to five days to support schools to schedule one test per day and provide catch-up tests for students who are absent on scheduled test days.
The information below applies only to schools approved by their state/territory Test Administration Authority to complete NAPLAN via alternative format (paper) tests.
2026 NAPLAN alternative format (paper) test window infographic.
2026 NAPLAN alternative format (paper) test window
Date | Wednesday 11 March | Thursday 12 March | Friday 13 March | Monday 16 March | Monday 17 March |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Test day | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
Scheduled test | Writing (Day 1 only)
| Reading ↓ Conventions of language ↓ Numeracy | Catch-ups only (non-writing) | ||
Notes | Reading can be scheduled after writing on day 1. | Catch-ups permitted. | Catch-ups permitted. | Catch-ups permitted. Writing catch-ups must conclude by the end of day 4. | Catch-ups for non-writing domains must conclude by the end of day 5. |
Important scheduling guidelines
- Schools must follow the test order as shown and schedule tests in the morning where possible.
- Writing must be scheduled on day 1 only.
- Do not adjust the test order or test window to accommodate other events such as camps, excursions or school sport.
- Catch-ups can only be scheduled after the original scheduled test session.
- Catch-up writing tests take priority over other scheduled or catch-up tests.
Test security period
The test security period is the period during which NAPLAN tests remain secure.
Tests must not be conducted prior to the published test dates under any circumstances.
For alternative format (paper and special print) tests, the security and confidentiality of the test materials must be maintained from the time they are delivered to the school, generated or made accessible via the platform, to the end of the test security period. The test security period extends to three days after the official test window, to Thursday, 26 March 2026.
Test materials are all materials that must be kept secure throughout the test security period. These include any user login details, secure login cards, student session codes, test session codes and all versions of the tests, including alternative format (paper and special print) tests and stimulus material.
The Writing marking guides are provided here to assist schools to interpret students’ results. They are not intended to be used to mark students’ writing without thorough training on how to apply the rubric.
Note: these documents can also be found at https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/writing
Example test papers for all domains are available on the NAP website
Please contact naplan@scsa.wa.edu.au if you wish to apply for:
- alternative format (special print) test paper formats (braille, large print, black and white masters and electronic PDF tests) by Friday, 21 November 2025
- adjustments for disability that require Test Administration Authority (TAA) approval by Friday, 27 February 2026
- adjustments for injury or temporary disability prior to sitting a test.
Applications for Withdrawal and Exemption can be made online using the following links:
- NAPLAN Exemption application
webforms.scsa.wa.edu.au/Forms/Exemption-Application by Wednesday, 4 March 2026 - NAPLAN Withdrawal application
webforms.scsa.wa.edu.au/Forms/Withdrawal-Application by Monday,
Schools receive a reporting package containing:
- Individual Student Reports
- reporting information for parents and carers
Schools must verify Individual Student Reports match their enrolment data before distributing student reports to parents and carers.
Catholic schools
Catholic schools’ results will be available in the Learning Insights (LI) app on Powerbi.com. Help on accessing the app can be obtained from schools' IT support desks or the CEWA support desk, and further information on reporting by contacting naplantesting@cewa.edu.au
Government schools
Government schools’ NAPLAN results will be available through the Student Achievement Information System (SAIS) via the Department’s portal. Further information is available by contacting the School Performance Branch on 9264 4966.
Independent schools
AISWA schools’ NAPLAN results will be available via Valuate, accessed through a secure website. Unique usernames and passwords have been supplied to each school. Further information can be obtained by contacting AISWA on 9441 1600.
Public reports on NAPLAN, the NAP sample assessments and other sample assessments that Australia has participated in are available here:
National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)
https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/results-and-reports
National Assessment Program – sample assessments (NAP sample assessments)
NAPSL (Science Literacy) results for Year 6 students
NAPCC (Civics and Citizenship) results for Years 6 and 10 students
NAP ICT Literacy results for Years 6 and 10 students
https://www.nap.edu.au/nap-sample-assessments/results-and-reports
Program of International Student Assessment (PISA)
PISA results in Science, Mathematics and Reading for 15 year olds http://www.acer.edu.au/ozpisa
TIMSS and PIRLS
TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) results for Years 4 and 8 students and PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study) results for Year 4 students
http://timss.bc.edu/