What Your Child’s NAPLAN Results Mean

NAPLAN results show how your child is progressing in literacy and numeracy against national expectations. Since 2023, parent reports use four proficiency levels—Exceeding, Strong, Developing, and Needs Additional Support—to give a clear snapshot you can discuss with your child’s teacher.

Each year, parents across Australia receive their child's NAPLAN results. For many families, opening this report can be a stressful experience. However, it's important to understand that NAPLAN is not about labeling your child or determining their future. It’s a snapshot of your child’s literacy and numeracy skills, offering insight into how they’re tracking compared to their peers. Let’s break down what those results really mean.

What NAPLAN Measures

NAPLAN assesses students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. The areas evaluated include reading, writing, language conventions, and numeracy. These tests are designed to assess the foundational skills your child needs for school and beyond.

From 2023 onwards, results are presented using proficiency levels rather than the old “bands,” showing whether your child is Exceeding, Strong, Developing, or Needs Additional Support against the national standard. Because of this change, results from 2023+ aren’t directly comparable to earlier years.

Results are presented as a band or level, indicating whether your child is meeting, exceeding, or falling below the national minimum standard. It’s crucial to remember that NAPLAN does not measure creativity, problem-solving abilities, social skills, resilience, or any other personal strengths your child may have.

A Closer Look at the Report

Your child’s report includes a scale with a black dot for their achievement and a highlighted (shaded) box showing the typical range for that year level — as ACARA explains, the black dot is your child’s result on the proficiency scale and the shaded box indicates the typical range for their year level.

The dot and shaded box explained

If your child’s dot sits inside the shaded box, they’re within the typical range; above the box suggests performance above typical, and below the box indicates areas where extra support may help.

Evidence (ACARA): The parent report shows your child’s result as a black dot on a proficiency scale, with the shaded box indicating the typical range for that year level; results are reported using four proficiency levels—Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs Additional Support.

When reviewing your child’s NAPLAN report, you’ll notice a scale with a dot representing their achievement, along with a shaded box that shows the average range for their year level.

For example, if the shaded box for Year 5 reading spans from 480 to 550 and your child’s dot is placed at 530, it indicates they are performing well within the expected range. If their dot is above the shaded box, they are performing above average. If it’s below, it suggests they may benefit from extra support.

What Changed in 2023?

In 2023, NAPLAN moved to March testing, online adaptive delivery, and introduced the four proficiency levels. As a result, scores from 2008–2022 use a different scale and shouldn’t be compared directly with 2023+ results.

Case Study 1: Sarah in Year 3

Sarah is in Year 3. Her NAPLAN results show she’s slightly below the national average in reading but well above average in numeracy. On her report, reading is marked as Developing, while numeracy is Strong. Her parents were concerned when they saw the reading score, but her teacher explained that Sarah is still building confidence in reading longer texts. On the day of the test, Sarah found the comprehension passages more challenging. With extra reading practice at home and school, Sarah can catch up.

The key takeaway here is that one result in one area does not define your child’s overall potential. Sarah’s strong numeracy skills show her developing problem-solving abilities, which will support her learning across subjects.

Case Study 2: Noah in Year 7

Noah’s report indicates he’s performing well above average in writing and reading but slightly below average in numeracy. His writing and reading may appear as Exceeding or Strong, while numeracy could be Developing. His parents were concerned because math has never been his favourite subject. His teacher used the NAPLAN result to identify areas where Noah could receive targeted support, such as revisiting key concepts and applying real-world math in daily life.

By combining NAPLAN insights with classroom observations, teachers can provide well-rounded feedback. Noah’s strength in writing and creativity reveals valuable skills that might not be reflected in his math score.

Case Study 3: Amira in Year 9

Amira is in Year 9, and her results are in the middle of the expected range for all areas. She’s neither at the top nor the bottom. On a modern report, that typically maps to Strong across domains, indicating she’s on track. Her parents initially felt disappointed, hoping for higher scores, but her teacher explained that being within the expected range means Amira is on track and well-prepared for senior school.

Sometimes parents focus too much on achieving above average scores, forgetting that being average is a healthy and appropriate place for many students. Amira’s results show steady progress, which is what matters most at this stage.

How Parents Can Use NAPLAN Results

Use the report as a starting point, not a verdict—pair it with classwork, teacher feedback, and your child’s wellbeing.

• Start a Conversation with Your Child’s Teacher: Use the NAPLAN report as a discussion point. Teachers can offer context and explain how your child is performing throughout the school year.
• Celebrate Strengths: Whether your child excels in reading, writing, or numeracy, take time to recognize and celebrate these achievements. Acknowledging strengths boosts their confidence.
• Focus on Growth, Not Just Comparison: If your child’s results are below average, it’s not a verdict on their abilities. It simply indicates areas where they might need additional support. Progress is more important than a single score.
• Remember the Bigger Picture: NAPLAN doesn’t assess qualities like kindness, creativity, leadership, or social skills. These are just as important for your child’s future success.

Consider extra support when needed: If your child is identified as Developing or Needs Additional Support, talk with the school about an action plan and consider structured help, including NAPLAN tutors on Learnmate for focused, curriculum-aligned practice.

Making It Fun

Parents can use NAPLAN insights to incorporate learning into everyday life in enjoyable ways. For example, if numeracy is an area for improvement, involve your child in cooking and measuring ingredients. If reading is a challenge, choose books or articles about topics they’re passionate about, whether it’s dinosaurs, sports, or space. Short, consistent practice beats long, irregular cram sessions—aim for 10–15 minutes a day.

Final Thought

NAPLAN results are a valuable tool, not a label. They offer important insights into your child’s learning but are only one piece of the puzzle. Every child develops at their own pace, and what matters most is providing them with the encouragement, patience, and opportunities they need to thrive. Use the proficiency levels to guide next steps, celebrate wins, and keep the long game in mind.

If you found these tips helpful, I’d personally love to support you as your tutor this year. You can view my profile here on Learnmate and contact me to discuss tutoring.

Alternatively, you can also engage other NAPLAN tutors on Learnmate to help you refine your exam techniques, boost your confidence, and receive guidance tailored to your specific subject and level.

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