Guides for parents

NAPLAN results explained: what the four levels mean

Since 2023 a NAPLAN report shows one of four proficiency levels for each test instead of a band from 1 to 10. Here is what each level means, in the official words, and what is sensible to do next.

Facts checked on 14 October 2026 against the official sites listed at the foot of the page.

The four levels

Strong and Exceeding both count as proficient. The levels are set against the expectations of the year the child is in, so a Strong in Year 3 and a Strong in Year 5 mean the same thing relative to the year.

Exceeding: the result exceeds expectations at the time of testing.
Strong: the result meets challenging but reasonable expectations at the time of testing.
Developing: the child is working towards expectations at the time of testing.
Needs additional support: the child is not achieving the expected learning outcomes and is likely to need additional support to progress.

Reading the report

The report shows one level per test, with a marker for where the child sits inside that level and the range of results across the country. A child can be Exceeding in numeracy and Developing in writing; that is common, and it is the most useful thing on the page, because it says where next term's effort belongs.

When reports arrive

Reports go to families through the school. In 2026 they were released from the start of Term 3, about four months after the March tests. The 2027 date has not been published.

What to do at each level

Whatever the level, the report is a snapshot of one morning in March. The practice pages show the kind of question each year asks, and the free diagnostic names the skills behind a result rather than the level alone.

Exceeding: keep the challenge up. Children at this level are usually ready for the harder end of ICAS or the AMC.
Strong: the year's expectations are met. Look at which test sits lowest inside the level and give it a little regular practice.
Developing: find the specific skills not yet held and work on them one at a time; a general 'do more' rarely moves this level.
Needs additional support: talk to the teacher first. The school has programs for this level, and the report is the evidence to ask for them.

Why 2023 was a reset

The four levels replaced the ten bands in 2023, and the test moved from May to March at the same time, so a 2022 band and a 2024 level cannot be compared. If an older sibling's report looks different, that is why.

Start the free diagnostic More about NAPLAN

Questions parents ask

Is Strong a good NAPLAN result?

Yes. Strong means the child meets the expectations for the year; it is the level most children reach. Exceeding is the level above it.

What does Developing mean on a NAPLAN report?

The child is working towards the year's expectations but has not reached them yet. It is not a fail; it is a sign that some specific skills need teaching.

Can I see my child's actual score?

The report shows the level and the child's position inside it against the national range, not a raw score out of a total.