If your child is in Years 3, 5, 7, or 9 at school in Australia, you may be familiar with NAPLAN. Many parents ask what it is, and worry especially about what happens if you miss NAPLAN or if their child can’t take part on test day.

NAPLAN refers to the National Assessment Program, Literacy and Numeracy. It’s a yearly national assessment that checks how students are developing key skills in reading, writing, grammar and punctuation, spelling, and numeracy. It gives families, teachers, and schools a snapshot of where students stand compared with national expectations.

In 2023, Australia saw strong participation: students in Years 3, 5, and 7 had rates above 96 %, and Year 9 had 92.2 % participation. Across all domains, participation ranged from around 94.5 % (writing) to 95.3 % (reading).

These numbers show that while most children sit the test, missing it can still happen for many reasons.

In this article, you’ll learn how schools respond, what “absent” means, how catch-ups work, and simple ways to support your child’s learning if they miss any part of the test.

Key Takeaway

• NAPLAN runs over a nine-day test window, giving schools time to arrange catch-up sessions for students who miss their scheduled test.

• If a child misses all sessions, their report simply shows Absent; there’s no penalty, and it doesn’t affect grades or class placement.

• Parents can choose exemptions or withdrawals when needed, such as for high anxiety, special learning needs, or new arrivals still developing English skills.

• Technical issues during online testing are handled calmly, and schools can reschedule affected sessions while keeping completed work safe.

• Learning never stops after a missed test, teachers keep tracking progress in class, and FunFox programs help children build skills and confidence all year round.

Why “What Happens if You Miss NAPLAN” Matters to Many Parents

Missing an important school test can feel worrying for any parent. You might wonder if your child will fall behind, miss out on feedback, or be marked differently from their classmates. The truth is, many families find themselves in the same situation every year,  and schools have plans in place to help.

When Children Miss NAPLAN

• Illness or family reasons: Sometimes a simple cold, a doctor’s visit, or family travel means a student can’t attend on test day.

• Technical or internet problems: With NAPLAN now delivered online, a slow connection or device issue can interrupt a test.

• Feeling anxious or unwell: Some children find test settings stressful and need time before they can take part.

• Unexpected school events: Occasional timetable changes or emergencies can shift the test schedule.

What Parents Often Worry About

• Will it affect my child’s report or grades? Parents want to know if missing NAPLAN has lasting consequences.

• Can they take it another day? Many ask about catch-up sessions or school flexibility.

• How is “absent” recorded? It can feel confusing to see an empty result box later in the year.

Can your Child Still Take the Test? How NAPLAN Catch-up Works

Missing a test can feel stressful, but the good news is that NAPLAN gives schools time to help students who were away. Catch-up sessions are built into the testing schedule so that children who miss a session can still take part.
Here’s how schools usually organize make-up sessions and how parents can stay in the loop.

Schools Plan Catch-Up Days Within the Test Window

Every year, NAPLAN runs over a nine-day test window. Schools use the first few days for main sessions and keep the later days for students who were absent.

• Teachers and test coordinators decide when each child can complete the missed test.

• For the writing test, Year 3 students must do their catch-up by the end of day 4, while Years 5, 7, and 9 have until the final day of the window.

• Students complete the test at school under the same secure online system used by others.

Catch-up sessions are usually calm and smaller in size, giving children a familiar setting and less pressure.

Parents Can Request Information from the School

If your child misses a session, it helps to speak with the teacher or NAPLAN coordinator as soon as possible.

• Ask when the school plans its catch-up days.

• Confirm which test domains your child can still complete.

• Let the school know if your child is unwell or needs extra time before returning.

A quick chat or email often clears up uncertainty and helps teachers schedule a time that works.

Missed NAPLAN? Turn worry into confidence, help your child stay curious and ready to learn with FunFox’s supportive literacy classes.

Book a Trial Class Today!

How Schools Record Missed Tests

If your child returns within the window, their results are included like any other student.
If they cannot return on time, the missed test is recorded as absent in the national data. This means there is simply no score for that test area, not a penalty or failure.

Most schools are understanding about absences, especially when parents communicate early.

Catch-up arrangements vary slightly between states, but the goal is always the same, every child deserves a fair chance to take part.

Want to learn how NAPLAN began and how it’s evolved over the years? Read History of NAPLAN: Everything You Need to Know About the Test for a clear overview.

What Happens If Your Child Misses NAPLAN Completely

Sometimes, even with the best plans in place, a child might miss all their scheduled tests. Illness, family events, or unexpected situations can make returning to school within the NAPLAN window impossible. When that happens, many parents wonder what it means for their child’s results and progress.
Missing NAPLAN doesn’t hold children back academically; teachers continue tracking learning through regular classwork and assessments.

How Schools Record an “Absent” Result

If a child misses every NAPLAN session, their participation is marked as absent for those test areas.

• The result field in the report will simply show “Absent.”

• There is no mark, penalty, or score deduction.

• The school includes this information when submitting national data, but it does not impact the student’s classroom grades or teacher assessments.

Schools understand that absences happen for many reasons and treat them with care. The NAPLAN report is one snapshot, not a judgment of your child’s ability or effort.

What It Means for Your Child’s Learning

Even without a NAPLAN score, teachers continue to assess reading, writing, and numeracy through regular classwork.

• Classroom results and teacher feedback remain the main indicators of progress.

• Ongoing learning programs make sure that no child misses out on support.

• Parents can still discuss strengths and areas for growth with the teacher, just as they would after any other assessment period.

Your child’s confidence, curiosity, and progress matter far more than one test. Missing NAPLAN does not close doors or limit their learning opportunities.

How to Stay Involved After a Missed Test

Parents play an important role in helping children feel secure and supported.

• Have a gentle chat about what happened and reassure your child that everything is fine.

• Ask the teacher for suggestions to continue building literacy and numeracy at home.

• Keep regular reading, writing, and discussion as part of daily life.

Children learn best when they feel calm and encouraged. A warm approach helps them stay engaged and ready to learn, no matter what happens during test week.

We’ll now turn to how schools support children who need a different arrangement, such as exemptions, withdrawals, or extra help.

Wondering what makes NAPLAN challenging for many students? Read Understanding How Difficult NAPLAN is for Students: A Parent's Guide to learn how you can help your child feel more confident.

When Exemptions or Withdrawals Apply

Some children don’t sit the NAPLAN for specific reasons approved by the school and outlined by national guidelines. These decisions are always made with parents, never for them.

Exemptions

An exemption is offered to a small group of students who meet certain criteria.

• It applies to children with significant intellectual disabilities or those who have been in an English-speaking school for less than one year.

• The school must talk with parents before finalizing the exemption.

• Parents sign an agreement confirming the decision.

• Exempt students won’t receive NAPLAN results, but they continue regular classroom learning and assessment.

This option helps make sure that testing remains fair and reflects a child’s current stage of learning.

Withdrawals

A withdrawal happens when parents choose for their child not to take the NAPLAN.

• It’s entirely the parents’ decision, not the school’s.

• Parents submit a signed request before the test window begins.

• The child is marked as withdrawn in official records and simply continues with normal schoolwork.

Withdrawal is often used by families who feel the test isn’t suitable for their child that year, such as in cases of high anxiety or unique learning needs.

Adjustments for Learning or Access Needs

If a student usually receives classroom support, they can receive approved test adjustments.

• This might include extra time, a separate room, or assistive tools such as text-to-speech.

• Adjustments are planned by the school ahead of time, based on what’s already familiar to the child.

• All adjustments follow ACARA’s official testing guidelines.

These options are in place to make testing fair and comfortable for every child. If you feel your child might need one, speak with the teacher early; they’ll guide you through what’s possible.

If your child misses a test because of technology or timing, here’s how schools make sure that situation is handled gently and fairly.

What Happens If Technical Problems Interrupt the Test

Since NAPLAN is now delivered online, minor technical issues can occasionally occur. Schools are well prepared for this and have clear steps to make sure every child gets a fair chance to complete their test.

How Schools Handle Technical or System Issues

• Short interruptions: If the connection drops or a device freezes, the test can usually resume once the issue is fixed.

• Extended outages: If the problem lasts too long, the school reschedules the test for another time within the same test window.

• School-wide disruptions: When multiple students are affected, the entire session can be postponed to another day.

• Data protection: The online platform automatically saves progress, so students don’t lose completed answers.

• Calm environment: Teachers reassure students and keep conditions as close to normal as possible when restarting or rescheduling.

Schools follow ACARA’s official testing protocols to make sure no child is disadvantaged because of technology.

Once you know how testing interruptions are managed, it helps to understand what it actually means for your child’s school report or progress.

Curious about how NAPLAN adjusts questions to each student’s ability? Read Understanding Adaptive Testing in NAPLAN to see how the process works.

Does Missing NAPLAN Affect School Reports or Placement

Parents often worry that missing NAPLAN will affect their child's school report or advancement. The reassuring fact is that it does not. NAPLAN results are only one piece of information schools use to understand student progress.

What NAPLAN Affects vs. What It Doesn’t

Missing NAPLAN simply means there will be no score for that part of the test, not that your child has fallen behind or missed out on learning opportunities. Teachers still track progress through classwork, projects, and regular assessments.

After understanding how results are handled, it’s comforting to know what you can do next at home to keep your child’s learning on track.

What Parents Can Do After a Missed Test

Missing NAPLAN can leave both parents and children feeling uncertain, but there are simple ways to move forward. The goal is to keep your child’s confidence high and their literacy and numeracy skills growing steadily.

Steps You Can Take Right Away

• Talk to your child’s teacher: Ask how the school records the missed test and whether a catch-up is still possible.

• Keep communication open: Let your child know that one missed test doesn’t define their progress or potential.

• Revisit key skills at home: Spend short, relaxed moments reading together, discussing stories, or writing a few sentences daily.

• Keep learning routines light: Focus on enjoyment rather than test preparation. Children learn best when they feel calm and supported.

• Celebrate effort, not results: Praise your child for their curiosity and persistence, not their scores.

Taking these small steps helps children see learning as something steady and positive, not defined by one test week.

Here’s how FunFox keeps that momentum going through warm, engaging reading and writing programs.

Turn “what happens if you miss NAPLAN” into a chance for growth. Build your child’s skills and confidence with FunFox’s gentle learning approach.

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How FunFox Supports Children After Missing NAPLAN

Even if your child misses NAPLAN, their learning journey continues. FunFox programs help children improve their reading and writing abilities through enjoyable and supportive activities.

How FunFox Helps Students Stay on Track

• Personalized attention in small groups: Teachers work closely with each student, noticing where they need extra support and guiding them at their own pace.

• Readers Club for ages 7–13: Builds reading fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary through engaging stories and discussion.

• Writers Club for ages 7–12: Strengthens writing structure, grammar, and creative expression with fun, interactive activities.

• Consistent feedback from teachers: Children receive gentle, real-time feedback that helps them understand their progress and feel proud of their efforts.

• Confidence and enjoyment: Every session is built around making literacy feel positive, not pressured, so children reconnect with learning after a missed test.

FunFox programs give parents peace of mind that their child is still growing, supported, and learning with purpose.

Final Thoughts!

Many parents wonder what happens if you miss NAPLAN, and the answer is more reassuring than it might seem. Missing the test is only a small moment in your child’s wider learning story. What matters most is that your child keeps feeling confident, supported, and curious about learning.

At FunFox, we understand that every child learns in their own way. Whether your child completed NAPLAN or not, our programs focus on steady progress, clear communication, and joy in learning.

FunFox helps children strengthen literacy skills year-round through its Readers Club and Writers Club, small-group classes that make reading and writing feel rewarding and fun. If you’ve ever wondered what happens if you miss NAPLAN, know that with the right guidance, your child can continue to grow and thrive.

Give your child the gift of steady learning with the FunFox Program. Book a call today to learn more.

FAQs About NAPLAN

1. What happens if you miss NAPLAN?

If a student is away during test week, schools can usually arrange a NAPLAN catch-up session within the official nine-day test window. If the student can’t return on time, their result is marked as “absent,” but it doesn’t affect school grades or placement.

2. What happens if u miss NAPLAN?

The same process applies. Schools try to reschedule the missed test if the student returns soon enough. If not, the child simply won’t receive a NAPLAN score for that test area.

3. What if my child misses NAPLAN due to illness or travel?

Schools understand that absences happen. Parents should contact the teacher or school test coordinator as soon as possible to see if a catch-up can be arranged before the window closes.

4. What happens if my child misses NAPLAN completely?

If a student misses all tests, their report will show “absent” for each domain. This doesn’t affect promotion to the next year or limit future learning opportunities. Teachers continue to assess progress through classwork and regular feedback.

5. What is a NAPLAN catch-up and how does it work?

A catch-up is a make-up test session held within the NAPLAN window for students who missed the original day. Schools schedule these sessions individually and supervise them under the same conditions as the main test.