NAPLAN 2027: Key Dates and What to Expect

Official ACARA test window dates, format, results and preparation guidance

The official NAPLAN 2027 test window

ACARA has already confirmed the national dates for the next several years. The NAPLAN 2027 test window runs from Wednesday 10 March to Monday 22 March 2027 (10–22 March). Looking further ahead, the official ACARA Key dates page lists:

Year NAPLAN test window
202710–22 March
202815–27 March
202914–26 March

These are national windows, not single test days for every child. The window is 9 days long to accommodate schools that cannot complete all tests in a shorter timeframe, and schools must schedule tests as soon as possible within the window, prioritising the first week. Source: ACARA — NAPLAN for parents and carers.

One scheduling pressure parents may notice: the 2027 window overlaps with Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. ACARA's Ramadan and NAPLAN page states Ramadan starts 8 February 2027 and Eid al-Fitr falls on 10 March 2027 — the first day of the test window. ACARA notes that NAPLAN dates are set in consultation with state, territory and federal authorities, and that assistance and flexibility are available to support participation. From 2028, Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr are expected to conclude before the NAPLAN window begins.

Practice tests: available from Term 3, 2026

According to the ACARA Key dates page, schools can complete NAPLAN practice tests in the assessment platform from Term 3, 2026 — so your child's school will likely run familiarisation sessions in the second half of 2026, well before the March 2027 window. The public demonstration site provides sample tests year-round for student familiarisation, and shows the tools and question types available in the online assessments.

Who sits NAPLAN and what is assessed

NAPLAN is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, and it is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake. Students sit tests in four domains:

Questions assess content aligned with the Australian Curriculum: English and Mathematics. Source: ACARA — NAPLAN home and for parents and carers.

The tests are delivered online and tailored (adaptive): each test presents questions that may be harder or easier depending on the student's responses. A student's overall result is based on both the number of questions answered correctly and the average difficulty of the questions assigned to them — so a child who finds questions challenging may simply be on a more complex test pathway. One exception persists: all Year 3 students complete the writing assessment on paper. A small number of students may sit paper tests in other circumstances, such as recognised alternative curricula or accessibility needs. Sources: ACARA — parents and carers; 2026 NAPLAN individual student report — information for parents and carers (PDF).

How results are reported: the four proficiency levels

Since 2023, results are reported against proficiency standards with 4 levels — not a pass/fail score and not the old 1–10 bands. Per the ACARA ISR parents and carers FAQ (PDF):

Every participating student receives an individual student report (ISR), provided by the school later in the year. The report shows a proficiency scale for each assessment area with the child's result as a black dot, the national average for their year as a black triangle, and the range of the middle 60% of students shaded. State and territory test administration authorities give ISRs to schools, and timing varies between states. If you never receive a report, contact the school — ACARA cannot provide individual reports, and individual results are strictly confidential. Sources: ACARA NAPLAN FAQs — results, reports, performance.

Important context for comparing results over time: results from 2023 onwards can be compared with each other, but cannot be directly compared with 2008–2022 results, because new measurement scales suited to online testing were introduced and the tests moved from Term 2 to Term 1. Also, a student who stays at the same proficiency level across NAPLAN years (for example Year 3 to Year 5) may still be making progress — the skills required at each level increase in difficulty with year level.

Does my child need to prepare?

Officially, no. ACARA states students are not expected to study for NAPLAN, and it "does not recommend excessive preparation for NAPLAN or the use of services by coaching providers." Teachers ensure students are familiar with the question formats. The best support is reassuring your child that NAPLAN is part of the school program and encouraging them to do their best. Source: ACARA — What can I do to support my child?

If your child is absent on a test day, schools may arrange missed tests within the school's planned test schedule. Students with disability can access reasonable adjustments under the NAPLAN national protocols for test administration, and in exceptional circumstances a formal exemption is available through the principal.

One 2026-specific note that will shape how families read the 2027 reports: ACARA's FAQs acknowledge that some students experienced disruptions during the 2026 online writing test due to connectivity issues, and advises interpreting individual results with care since they reflect performance on the day of testing. Source: ACARA NAPLAN FAQs.

Where this site fits

For domain-by-domain practice context, see our NAPLAN overview, the writing test guide and the results and bands explained page. Year-specific detail is in Year 3, Year 5, Year 7 and Year 9 guides, and general advice in preparation tips.

Official sources