NAPLAN Update: What you need to know about the 2023 NAPLAN changes

New 2023 NAPLAN changes mean NAPLAN will be held earlier, with additional optional tests for year 6 and 10 students.

The National Assessment Program has made changes to NAPLAN. The improvements aim to provide further support for parents, students and schools.

The proposed 2023 NAPLAN changes include holding NAPLAN earlier in the year, and additional sample tests.

NAPLAN will take place in Term 1 of the school year, instead of Term 2. The assessment traditionally held in May, will move to mid-March. In 2023, the NAPLAN will occur from Wednesday 15 March to Monday 27.

Educations ministers have agreed to the ‘critical’ NAPLAN improvements.

“Bringing the test forward puts information in teachers’ hands sooner, allowing for more targeted support for students to ensure they are gaining important literacy and numeracy skills.”

Education Ministers Meeting, 16 March 2022.

The existing Year 6 and 10 NAP sample assessments will also move from October to Term 2 in 2023.

A further improvement is the option for any school to participate in the NAP Sample assessments.

“These assessments will provide additional information for schools that take up the opportunity, showing teachers how well students are acquiring essential knowledge and understanding in key areas.”

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).

The subjects introduced include Science in 2024, Civics and Citizenship in 2025 and Digital Literacy in 2026. Schools may ‘opt-in’ to the 40-minute online assessments each year.

Systems may also ‘opt-in’ to the Sample assessments. All schools in the system must participate.

The Sample assessments aim to support schools and students in teaching and learning. Results of the Sample assessments will not be available to the public.

Summary of the 2023 NAPLAN changes:

• From 2023, NAPLAN will move from term 2 to term 1.
• In 2023, the NAPLAN will occur from Wednesday 15 March to Monday 27.
• Schools now have the option to ‘opt-in’ to Sample assessments each year.
• The Sample assessments are for students in years 6 and 10. The results are not publicly released.