Can I withdraw my child from NAPLAN?

Yes, parents and carers can, though the national expectation is that all students take part. Withdrawal is meant for matters such as religious belief or a philosophical objection to testing. You make a written request to the principal before testing begins, and the school holds your signed consent.

What if my child is ill during the test window?

Schools may arrange a catch-up session within their test schedule. A sick child cannot sit the test at home. If no catch-up is possible, the report shows no result for the missed test.

Is a tutor necessary for NAPLAN?

Not for NAPLAN itself. The national authority does not ask children to study and advises against heavy preparation or coaching services.

Does NAPLAN affect selective school entry?

No. NAPLAN is not designed as an admission test. NSW selective high school places are decided using a separate placement test and application.

Can my child sit NAPLAN overseas?

No. The tests can only be sat within Australia.

NAPLAN FAQ: opting out, missed tests, tutors and selective entry

Checked 19 October 2026 by XReady

A tray of blank index cards in warm amber light.

In short

Families can ask to withdraw a child, but participation by everyone is expected and the request goes to the principal before testing. A child who misses a test may sit a catch-up inside the school's schedule. NAPLAN is not designed as an admission test and does not decide selective school places.

Can we opt out?

You can withdraw your child, but the national position is that every student is expected to take part (external link). Withdrawal is aimed at situations such as a religious belief or a philosophical objection to testing, and it is not a way to dodge a result you fear. The route is a written request to your principal before the tests start, following the process your state or territory sets. The school must hold your signed consent, and your child's report then notes the withdrawal.

Talking to the teacher or principal first is usually the best move. They can explain how the tests run and what adjustments exist.

Formal exemptions are narrower (external link). They are possible in exceptional circumstances, for example where a disability severely limits a student's capacity to take part, or for a newcomer to Australia from a non-English-speaking family. Separate from exemptions, schools should work with you on reasonable adjustments so a child with a disability can access the tests.

What if my child is away?

Where it can, a school arranges a catch-up for absent students inside its own test schedule. A child who is unwell cannot do the tests at home (external link). If your child cannot attend any session, they receive no result for the tests they missed.

Your school sets the catch-up days within its own schedule, so ask it what is planned.

Is a tutor necessary?

ACARA's advice is that children should not need to study (external link), and it discourages heavy preparation or coaching services. Governments do not endorse organisations that sell NAPLAN-style tests (external link).

That does not make practice forbidden. Some children feel calmer after seeing the format once. If that is your child, keep it light, and see NAPLAN for parents for the gentle approach. Our pricing page explains what XReady offers if you decide you want structured practice.

Does NAPLAN count towards selective entry?

No. NAPLAN is a check of literacy and numeracy skills, and it was not designed as a way to admit students to schools (external link), even though some schools may ask to see a NAPLAN report next to school reports. Selective high school places in NSW use their own placement test, with a separate application. See the Selective test explained.

Does my child need to type quickly?

No. ACARA says the writing test is not about handwriting and NAPLAN is not about keyboarding (external link), that students do not have to touch type, and that its research found online writing comparable in quality to handwriting. What helps is familiarity with the device the school uses, so a few minutes on a keyboard or tablet is useful, but speed is not being marked.

What can and cannot be used during the test?

Spelling and grammar checks are switched off on the testing platform, because spelling and grammar are part of what is marked, but copy, cut, paste and move text are available in the online writing test. Students can use paper to plan or work things out, and it is collected at the end. If a device stops working, ACARA says responses are saved and the student can finish on another device or in a rescheduled session.

Can we see the questions afterwards?

No. Schools cannot share NAPLAN tests with anyone, parents included, because of copyright and security rules. What families can see is the skills assessed, shown on the report. To get a feel for the format, the public demonstration site is open to everyone, and past paper tests from 2008 to 2016 are published by ACARA.

What help exists for students with disability?

ACARA lists adjustments such as larger text, alternative questions, keyboard-only access, extra time and rest breaks, generally based on what the student already has at school. Talk to the school well before March so they can arrange it.

Where does the result go?

The report comes home through the school. Our guide to reading the report and results timing explains what you will see.

Checked 19 October 2026 against the National Assessment Program site.

Common questions

Can I withdraw my child from NAPLAN?: Yes, parents and carers can, though the national expectation is that all students take part. Withdrawal is meant for matters such as religious belief or a philosophical objection to testing. You make a written request to the principal before testing begins, and the school holds your signed consent.
What if my child is ill during the test window?: Schools may arrange a catch-up session within their test schedule. A sick child cannot sit the test at home. If no catch-up is possible, the report shows no result for the missed test.
Is a tutor necessary for NAPLAN?: Not for NAPLAN itself. The national authority does not ask children to study and advises against heavy preparation or coaching services.
Does NAPLAN affect selective school entry?: No. NAPLAN is not designed as an admission test. NSW selective high school places are decided using a separate placement test and application.
Can my child sit NAPLAN overseas?: No. The tests can only be sat within Australia.

Sources, checked 19 October 2026

National Assessment Program: NAPLAN participation FAQs (external link) National Assessment Program (ACARA). Checked 19 October 2026.
National Assessment Program: NAPLAN general FAQs (external link) National Assessment Program (ACARA). Checked 19 October 2026.
National Assessment Program: For parents and carers (external link) National Assessment Program (ACARA). Checked 19 October 2026.
NAPLAN national protocols for test administration (external link) National Assessment Program (ACARA). Checked 19 October 2026.
NAPLAN 2027 information for parents and carers (ACARA) (external link) National Assessment Program (ACARA). Checked 19 October 2026.

Not affiliated with ACARA or the NSW Department of Education.