The 2026 NAPLAN results, released by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), show that numeracy across Australia has held steady since 2023. Around 3 in 10 students, and closer to 1 in 3 in Years 3 and 9, are still working below the Strong proficiency level in maths. NAPLAN 2027 will be held from 10 to 22 March 2027, only weeks into Term 1. That makes the school holidays one of the best times to build your child's maths skills without the pressure of a busy term.
This guide breaks down the 2026 numeracy results nationally and for every state and territory. It then covers what the timing of NAPLAN 2027 means for your family, and practical ways to support your child's maths over the holidays, whatever year they're heading into.
What the NAPLAN proficiency levels mean
Since 2023, NAPLAN has reported each student's results in one of four proficiency levels rather than the old ten bands.
- Exceeding: the student's achievement is above what is expected at the time of testing.
- Strong: the student is meeting challenging but reasonable expectations for their year level.
- Developing: the student is working towards the expected level.
- Needs additional support: the student is not yet achieving the expected level and is likely to need extra help to progress.
Because the scale was reset in 2023, results from 2023 onwards can't be compared with earlier years. That gives us four years of comparable data, from 2023 to 2026. For a closer look at what each level means for an individual child, see our guide Is My Child Behind? NAPLAN Proficiency Levels Explained.
The national picture: steady, but not shifting
Here is how Australian students performed in numeracy in 2026.
| Australia, numeracy 2026 | Year 3 | Year 5 | Year 7 | Year 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong or Exceeding | 62.1% | 70.7% | 69.9% | 65.3% |
| Developing or Needs additional support | 35.8% | 27.5% | 28.4% | 32.9% |
| Exceeding | 11.0% | 13.2% | 16.1% | 13.3% |
Source: ACARA, NAPLAN National Results 2026
Three findings stand out.
Results have barely moved since 2023. ACARA's 2026 commentary reports that differences in average scores since both 2025 and 2023 were negligible, across every year level and in every reported state and territory. That stability is reassuring in one sense. But it also means the share of children who need extra support in maths isn't shrinking on its own.
More students are reaching the top level in high school. The share of Year 7 students in the Exceeding level rose from 12.6% in 2023 to 16.1% in 2026. In Year 9 it rose from 9.9% to 13.3%. ACARA classes these as small changes, but they point in a positive direction.
The biggest growth happens in primary school. NAPLAN lets us track the same group of students two years apart. Between 2024 and 2026, average numeracy scores rose by about 90 points from Year 3 to Year 5, by 59 points from Year 5 to Year 7, and by 34 points from Year 7 to Year 9.
This is a normal pattern: the primary years are when children build place value, times tables and fractions, which underpin algebra, ratios and problem solving later on. It's also why a gap left unaddressed in Year 4 often resurfaces in Year 7 or 8, in a topic that seems unrelated. Identifying gaps early, whatever year your child is in, makes them much easier to close.
Numeracy results by state and territory
The table below shows the share of students at the Strong or Exceeding level in numeracy for each state and territory in 2026.
| Strong or Exceeding, numeracy 2026 | Year 3 | Year 5 | Year 7 | Year 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 62.1% | 70.7% | 69.9% | 65.3% |
| ACT | 68.2% | 76.7% | 75.9% | 71.2% |
| New South Wales | 64.9% | 73.1% | 72.8% | 67.6% |
| Northern Territory | 34.2% | 42.5% | 42.3% | 39.3% |
| Queensland | 55.1% | 66.2% | 64.4% | 58.5% |
| South Australia | 56.8% | 65.9% | 64.6% | 58.6% |
| Tasmania | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Victoria | 68.6% | 75.0% | 74.1% | 68.8% |
| Western Australia | 58.3% | 68.8% | 69.5% | 71.3% |
Source: ACARA, NAPLAN National Results 2026
A note on reading these figures: ACARA tests every state comparison for both statistical significance and the size of the difference. For numeracy in 2026, every reported state and territory except the Northern Territory is classed as close to the national average, even where its percentages are a few points higher or lower. Changes since 2023 within each state are also described as negligible in size. So the state figures below are best read as small shifts and useful signposts, not dramatic trends.
New South Wales
NSW shows two different stories. At the top end, results are moving in a good direction. The share of Year 7 students in the Exceeding level rose from 15.8% in 2023 to 19.8% in 2026, and in Year 9 from 12.7% to 16.2%. NSW now has the highest share of Year 7 students at Exceeding of any state or territory.
Year 3 went the other way. The share of NSW Year 3 students below the Strong level grew from 30.1% in 2023 to 33.3% in 2026, so one in three are now working towards the expected level. Year 3 is where number sense, place value and early multiplication are set, and those foundations carry through to the NSW high school syllabus and, eventually, HSC Mathematics. Find out more about online tutoring for NSW students.
Victoria
Victoria recorded the highest share of Year 3 students at the Strong or Exceeding level of any reported state or territory, at 68.6%. The middle years showed the clearest improvement. The share of Year 5 students below the Strong level fell from 27.5% in 2023 to 22.6%, and in Year 7 from 28.8% to 23.9%. More Year 9 students also reached Exceeding, up from 10.6% to 15.2%.
There's still room to grow. Victorian Year 3 results haven't shifted since 2023, and 29.0% of Year 9 students remain below the Strong level. Year 9 is an important point for Victorian students, as it's the last NAPLAN before VCE subject selection. Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics build directly on the algebra and problem-solving skills developed in Years 8 to 10. Find out more about online tutoring for Victorian students.
Queensland
The middle years are Queensland's strongest point. Two-thirds of Year 5 students are at the Strong level or above, and the share of Year 7 students in the Exceeding level rose from 9.7% in 2023 to 11.7%.
At either end, around 4 in 10 students are still working towards the expected level: 43.3% of Year 3 students and 40.1% of Year 9 students are in the Developing or Needs additional support levels. Those figures have barely changed since 2023. Nationally, the biggest jumps in numeracy happen between Years 3 and 5, which makes early primary a particularly valuable window for Queensland families. For older students, Year 10 maths also shapes QCE subject choices such as General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics. Find out more about online tutoring for Queensland students.
South Australia
South Australia's clearest gains are at the top end. The share of Year 9 students in the Exceeding level rose from 5.7% in 2023 to 8.5%, and in Year 7 from 8.1% to 10.9%. Year 5 also improved, with the share below the Strong level falling from 35.5% to 31.5%.
Year 3 and Year 9 have the largest share of students working towards the expected level, at 40.3% and 38.8%. For younger children, gaps in counting, place value and early multiplication can make later topics harder. For Year 9 students, solid algebra and measurement skills matter as they move towards SACE, where students need to meet a numeracy requirement. Find out more about online tutoring for SA students.
Western Australia
Western Australia recorded the highest share of Year 9 students at the Strong or Exceeding level of any reported state or territory, at 71.3%. That matters more in WA than anywhere else. Students may prequalify for the WACE literacy and numeracy standard through their Year 9 NAPLAN reading, writing and numeracy results, which means they don't need to demonstrate those skills again through the Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA).
There's a detail many parents miss. The prequalification cut point sits inside the Strong level, so a student can be at Strong without yet having demonstrated the Year 12 WACE standard. Solid numeracy in Years 7 and 8 is especially valuable for WA students heading into Year 9 NAPLAN.
Younger WA students have further to go. The share of Year 3 students below the Strong level rose slightly, from 36.7% in 2023 to 39.9% in 2026. Find out more about online tutoring for WA students.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory showed small improvements in the middle years. The share of students at Strong or above rose from 39.7% to 42.5% in Year 5, and from 38.8% to 42.3% in Year 7, since 2023. More than half of NT students in every tested year are still working towards the expected level, and the Territory is the one jurisdiction ACARA classes as substantially below the national average in numeracy.
These results need context. The NT has a unique mix of urban, regional and very remote schools, and participation is lower than elsewhere: 75.6% of Year 9 students sat at least one test in 2026. For many Territory families, the nearest tutor can be a long drive away, which is where flexible online support can help. You can check NT school term dates to plan around the holidays.
Australian Capital Territory
ACT students recorded the highest share at the Strong or Exceeding level of any reported state or territory in Years 5 and 7, at 76.7% and 75.9%. The share of Year 7 students below the Strong level fell from 28.1% in 2023 to 22.5%.
The ACT's share of students in the Exceeding level is similar to NSW and Victoria, despite the high share at Strong. That suggests many capable students are doing well without being fully stretched, and extension work helps keep them engaged as maths becomes more complex. At the same time, 30.1% of Canberra Year 3 students are still working towards the expected level, so strong foundations remain the priority for younger children. Find out more about online tutoring for ACT students.
Tasmania
Tasmania's 2026 achievement results were not reported. ACARA determined that participation was too low to support valid reporting: only 58.2% of Year 3 students, 58.7% of Year 5, 69.9% of Year 7 and 67.7% of Year 9 sat at least one test.
That means Tasmanian parents don't have a state-level picture this year. Their child's individual NAPLAN report, school report and conversations with their teacher are the best guides to how they're tracking in maths. Find out more about online tutoring for Tasmanian students.
Why NAPLAN 2027's timing matters
NAPLAN is held early in the school year. The 2027 test window runs from 10 to 22 March. For most students, that's only five to six weeks after school returns, and Term 1 is busy with new teachers, new routines, swimming carnivals and camps. There's little time to revisit the previous year's work before the tests.
NAPLAN isn't something children should cram for. It measures literacy and numeracy skills built over time, and the numeracy test is completed online and adapts to how each student is answering. The most useful preparation is steady skill-building, and the summer holidays give children the headspace to do that without the pressure of a school term. Our NAPLAN numeracy tutoring page explains how we help children prepare with confidence, and our NAPLAN practice tests help children become familiar with the question styles.
A holiday maths plan by year level
Short and regular works best. Fifteen to twenty minutes a few times a week does more than a long session once a fortnight, and it fits around holiday plans. Here's where to focus, depending on the year your child is heading into.
Heading into Year 3: Number sense is the priority. Focus on counting forwards and backwards, place value to 1,000, addition and subtraction strategies, skip counting by 2s, 5s and 10s, and early multiplication. Everyday activities such as counting change, reading clocks and measuring ingredients all help.
Heading into Year 5:Times tables to 10 × 10 make a big difference, because they come up in division, fractions, area and problem solving. Also work on simple fractions, place value with larger numbers, and reading information from tables and graphs. Our NAPLAN Numeracy Tips for Year 5 Students has more ideas.
Heading into Year 7: This is a big transition year. Fractions, decimals and percentages, and how they connect, are the foundation of high school maths. Order of operations, negative numbers and basic ratios are also worth a refresh.
Heading into Year 9:Algebra is the key skill: expanding and simplifying expressions, and solving linear equations. Add percentages, Pythagoras' theorem and working with measurements. The Year 7 and 9 numeracy tests include a short non-calculator section, so practising mental and written strategies is worthwhile.
For every year level:
- Look at last year's school report. Maths comments that mention "working towards" or specific topics are your starting point.
- Keep the mood positive. Anxiety about maths can hold children back as much as missing skills, so praise effort, not just correct answers.
- Don't only work at year level. If your child is finding current work hard, the gap often sits one or two years earlier, and going back to fix it is usually faster than pushing ahead.
How Kinetic Education helps
Kinetic Education is an Australian online tutoring company, founded in 1993 and based in Frankston, Victoria. It has supported more than 100,000 families across every state and territory. Its online maths tutoring covers Foundation to Year 12, aligned to the Australian Curriculum. It's built on the same idea running through the NAPLAN data: find the gaps early, fill them, then help children move ahead.
It starts with an assessment. Every child begins with the Maths Doctor assessment, which takes up to 45 minutes. It checks their skills across multiple year levels, not just their current one, to identify gaps from earlier years and areas where they're ready to be extended.
A personalised weekly learning plan. Your child's plan is updated every Monday with new 20-minute lessons, based on their progress. It moves through three stages: Revision and Catch-Up, Consolidation, and Extension. Short lessons fit easily into the holidays and make regular practice realistic for busy families.
A real tutor for your family. Each family is assigned an Australian-based tutor who holds a current Working with Children Check. Your tutor oversees your child's plan, sends you a weekly progress report and calls you regularly. When your child gets stuck, the tutor can walk them through the concept using screen sharing and a digital whiteboard. Up to 10 hours of tutor support a week is included, after school Monday to Thursday, at no extra cost.
Rewards that keep kids motivated. Children earn points for every activity and can swap them for real rewards, including gift cards from Smiggle, Myer and WISH.
Support for every learner. Kinetic Education supports students who need to catch up, students who are coasting and ready for more challenge, and neurodivergent students, including those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia and dyscalculia.
Kinetic Education is the #1 ranked provider in Tutoring & Kids Programs on ProductReview.com.au, with category awards in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. Tutoring starts from $29 a week for the family, and new families can start with 2 weeks free.
Related articles
- Is My Child Behind? NAPLAN Proficiency Levels Explained
- NAPLAN Results Are Out: Why a Single Score Doesn't Define Your Child
- NAPLAN Numeracy Tips for Year 5 Students
- Best Online Maths Tutoring in Australia, Compared (2026)
Sources
- ACARA, NAPLAN National Results, including the 2026 NAPLAN National Results Commentary and the national results dataset
- National Assessment Program, NAPLAN key dates
- National Assessment Program, What's in the tests
- School Curriculum and Standards Authority (WA), Prequalification through NAPLAN