The ACT's NAPLAN results offer a mixed narrative about student performance across the region. In recent years, the territory has shown strong results, with ACT students consistently outperforming the national average in key areas like Year 3 grammar and punctuation, and Year 9 spelling.

For example, data from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) reveals the student performance across the region. In 2025, the average proportion of students achieving at "Exceeding" and "Strong" levels in reading was 68.2%, marking an increase from 67.0% in 2024. However, approximately 9.3% of students were categorised as "Needs additional support" in reading.

This contrast underscores the importance of understanding not just where students excel, but also where improvements are needed. In this blog, we’ll explore the highs and lows of the ACT's NAPLAN performance and get insights into the broader implications for students, educators, and policymakers.

Key Takeaways

• ACT Outperforms in Early Literacy: The ACT consistently leads in Year 3 reading and Grammar and Punctuation, with 95.8% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency levels.

• Writing and Numeracy Challenges: Writing remains the weakest domain across the nation, with only 60.5% of students achieving "Strong" or "Exceeding."

• ACT Excels in Year 7 Numeracy: 72.7% of ACT students achieved "Strong" or "Exceeding" proficiency in Year 7 Numeracy, outperforming many other states.

• Geographical Disparities: The Northern Territory continues to trail behind the national average, with students requiring more targeted support. 39% of Year 9 students need help with Grammar and Punctuation.

• Funfox as a Solution: Funfox’s Readers Club and Writers Club offer a proactive solution, helping children build critical literacy and writing skills early, setting them up for success in future NAPLAN assessments.

What Is NAPLAN?

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment administered to Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. It evaluates fundamental skills in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar, and punctuation), and numeracy.

How Does NAPLAN Assess Student Performance: Key Components Explained

ACT’s NAPLAN assessments are conducted online, utilising adaptive testing technology to tailor the difficulty of questions to each student's ability level. This level is a more accurate measurement of student skills. The assessment covers the following domains:

• Writing: Students compose a text in response to a prompt, assessing their ability to express ideas coherently and effectively.

• Reading: Comprehension of various texts, evaluating the ability to understand and interpret written information.

• Language Conventions: Assessment of spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills.

• Numeracy: Mathematical reasoning and problem-solving across number and algebra, measurement and geometry, and statistics and probability.

Note: In 2025, each of these tests was administered within a designated timeframe, with Year 3 students completing assessments in 45–50 minutes, while Year 9 students had up to 65 minutes per test.

How are Students’ Success Measures Across Domains: NAPLAN Proficiency Levels

NAPLAN’s proficiency levels provide a clear, structured way to assess student performance and score better in NAPLAN and progress over time. These levels measure what a student can do at a given point in time, along with insights into their academic journey, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and areas needing attention.

NAPLAN results have been reported using 4 proficiency levels:

1. Exceeding: The student demonstrates skills well above the expected level for their year.

2. Strong: The student demonstrates solid understanding and skills at or above expectations.

3. Developing: The student shows partial achievement but is not yet consistently meeting expectations.

4. Needs Additional Support: The student requires targeted teaching and support to meet expected skills.

How ACT’s Year-Wise NAPLAN Performance Compares: Strengths and Weaknesses

The grade-level NAPLAN performance for ACT students provides insights into their literacy and numeracy development at crucial stages of their education. For educators, understanding these results helps identify where children excel and where they may need additional support.

Year 3 NAPLAN Performance: Strengths and Challenges

Year 3 NAPLAN results across Australia, including in the ACT, highlight both successes and areas for growth. While the ACT continues to outperform in certain areas like reading, the challenges faced by students are evident. 

Bridging the gap in grammar, numeracy, and spelling, especially in remote regions like the Northern Territory, remains an ongoing challenge for the entire nation. 

Also Read: NAPLAN Year 3 Preparation: Complete Guide

1. Year 3 Reading

Is your child ready to excel in future assessments? Early support in reading and writing sets them up for success.

Enroll Now

2. Year 3 Writing

3. Year 3 Spelling

4. Year 3 Grammar and Punctuation

5. Year 3 Numeracy

Year 5 NAPLAN Performance 2025: Strengths and Challenges

The Year 5 NAPLAN assessment serves as a key benchmark for tracking student development in literacy and numeracy since Year 3. Victoria led nationally in most domains, with a top score of 502.7 in Reading, while the Northern Territory struggled, with significant equity gaps.

Also Read: Year 5 NAPLAN Preparation and Practice Test: The Ultimate Guide

1. Year 5 Reading

2. Year 5 Writing

3. Year 5 Spelling

4. Year 5 Grammar and Punctuation

5. Year 5 Numeracy

Year 7 NAPLAN Performance 2025: Strengths and Challenges

The Year 7 NAPLAN assessment tracks the application of literacy and numeracy skills as students enter secondary school. In 2025, the national Reading average rebounded to 538.4, and Spelling was the top-performing domain. ACT also performed well, with 65.9% in the top bands for Grammar and Punctuation.

Also Read: Preparing for Year 7 NAPLAN with Past Papers & Practice Tests

1. Year 7 Reading

2. Year 7 Writing

3. Year 7 Spelling

4. Year 7 Grammar and Punctuation

5. Year 7 Numeracy

Year 9 NAPLAN Performance 2025: Strengths and Challenges

Year 9 NAPLAN results present a clear picture of progress in key literacy and numeracy domains. While jurisdictions like Victoria, NSW, and the ACT continue to lead, the performance gap between these regions and places like the Northern Territory remains a significant challenge.

Also Read: Preparing for Year 9 English with Practice Tests and Activities

1. Year 9 Reading

Want your child to perform like ACT’s top NAPLAN achievers? Early literacy skills are key to their success.

Enroll Now

2. Year 9 Writing

3. Year 9 Spelling

4. Year 9 Grammar and Punctuation

5. Year 9 Numeracy

Empower Your Child's Learning Journey with Funfox

Funfox is an innovative online tutoring platform dedicated to improving literacy and numeracy skills for primary and early secondary students. Through engaging, small-group classes led by Australian-qualified teachers, Funfox provides a supportive environment where children can thrive academically.

• Readers Club: Designed for students in Years 3–8, this program focuses on building strong reading foundations through interactive lessons and activities.

• Writers Club: Catering to students in Years 1–7, this club fosters creative writing skills, encouraging self-expression and confidence in writing.

• Flexible Learning: Classes are conducted online, offering flexibility to fit into your child's schedule, with sessions available across various time zones.

• Community Engagement: Funfox hosts regular in-person and virtual events, building a community where students and families can connect and grow together. 

Conclusion

In 2025, ACT’s NAPLAN results showcase strong performance, particularly in Year 3 reading and Grammar and Punctuation, though challenges remain in Writing and Numeracy. The disparity in performance, especially in regions like the Northern Territory, highlights the need for targeted support to bridge the gaps. 

Understanding the NAPLAN proficiency levels provides valuable insights into students' strengths and areas for improvement. By addressing these challenges early, educators and parents can set students up for future success. 

FAQs

1. What's the highest band in NAPLAN?

The highest band in NAPLAN is the "Exceeding" band, where students demonstrate skills well above the expected level for their year group.

2. What is the lowest NAPLAN score?

The lowest NAPLAN score typically falls into the "Needs Additional Support" category, where students are below the expected proficiency level and require targeted help.

3. How can I prepare for NAPLAN?

To prepare for NAPLAN, focus on building foundational skills in literacy and numeracy. Practice with sample papers, focus on reading comprehension, writing, and basic math, and get familiar with the test format.

4. Is NAPLAN compulsory in Australia?

Yes, NAPLAN is compulsory for students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 across Australia, as it helps assess national literacy and numeracy standards.

5. Is NAPLAN Year 7 hard?

NAPLAN in Year 7 can be challenging as it tests more advanced literacy and numeracy skills. However, with the right preparation, students can perform well.